National Guard slows recruiting due to surplus of soldiers
Published: May 18, 2009
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mark moran / staff photographer Cody Kopcha of Noxen wants to join the National Guard to serve his country as a medic.
When Cody Kopcha approached the local recruiter a few weeks ago, he was eager to head off to basic training and begin his career in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
The Noxen man found out he will have to wait.
National Guard officials recently halted almost all recruiting around the country due to a surplus of soldiers. Recruitment standards have been raised and bonuses slashed. Job losses from the recession and previous sign-on bonuses of $20,000 have led to a surge in enlistments, National Guard officials say.
"I expected the military to take just about anyone. I was surprised they raised the standards and are only taking the best right now," said Mr. Kopcha, 22, a nursing student at Luzerne County Community College looking to make extra money for college. "The recruiter said he's not sure when he's going to be able to get us in."
The Lake-Lehman High School graduate wants to become a medic in the 109th Field Artillery, based in Wilkes-Barre. His application is still being processed, but prospective soldiers like him must wait to swear in until the force around the country is trimmed.
There currently are about 366,880 National Guard soldiers nationwide. The maximum number authorized by U.S. Congress is 358,200.
Officials for the 109th say national commanders have given them an unprecedented recruiting goal of zero for the month of May. An average goal is 12 new soldiers a month.
"I can say in my 23 years of Guard experience, I haven't seen a time when we didn't have an aggressive emphasis on recruiting. It's strange for a recruiter to tell me we have a mission of zero," said Lt. Col. Kevin Miller, commanding officer of the 109th. "We still have people who stop in every day. But basically, like every other well-run corporation, we say we have a little bit of a waiting list."
The numbers nationwide indicate an about-face over recent years. As recently as 2005, the National Guard was 20,000 soldiers short of full strength.
The 109th mirrored the nationwide struggle in 2005 and 2006 after an exodus of soldiers who served in the Iraq war. In March 2008, the 109th reached full strength for the first time in years. Currently, the 109th has one more soldier than 100 percent strength, with 356 soldiers.
Lt. Col. Miller said the 109th is fortunate to be at full strength during this time, while other units already struggling aren't able to fill their ranks.
Among the eligibility changes are:
n The maximum age to enlist was lowered from 42 to 35.
n Maximum sign-on bonus was cut from $20,000 to $10,000.
n Minimum score on an aptitude test increased from 39 to 51.
n Waivers ended for those with certain health problems or minor criminal records.
"It's a rigorous process right now. The standards are higher. The incentives are less. The environment is tough," Lt. Col. Miller said.
There's no timetable when the recruiting slowdown will be over, officials said.
Sgt. Thomas Duffy, a recruiter with the 109th, said there "is less pressure right now."
"Obviously, we've been successful to get to the point where we're not admitting people right now," Sgt. Duffy said. "It allows me to get out in the community and talk to people more, rather than always asking them to join."
Sgt. Duffy still meets with potential recruits on certain weeknights at the armory. He updates them on the status of their applications and prepares them for enlistment and life as a soldier.
At least four recruits in limbo attended a recent dinner function at the armory hosted by Sgt. Duffy.
Tom Pockevich, 25, of Harveys Lake, said he was surprised when Sgt. Duffy told him weeks ago about the recruiting backlog, but he's prepared to wait it out.
"Especially with what's going on in Iraq, you'd figure that they take everyone and everybody," said Mr. Pockevich. "But, I'm in no hurry. This is something I always wanted to do. It's just going to take longer to get in."
Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com
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