U.S. Army, Navy offer big enlistment bonuses to compete with labor market

In a country that’s full of "we are hiring" signs, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hutchinson wants people to consider what the U.S. Army has to offer.

There are a lot of different companies that are hiring, and they have a lot of different benefits they are offering. We want to make sure people know what the Army has to offer and that we are willing to be competitive on all of this," he explained.

The Army is offering its largest incentive yet, up to $50,000 in bonuses, based on enlistment length, career choice, and qualifications. It also offers flexibility.

"Duty station of choice and two-year enlistments. You go off and you learn your specialized skills. You would be in your unit for a year and then if you decide it isn’t for me, you would get out and still have the benefits of having served," Hutchinson explained.

Recruiters want people to know that there are a variety of positions out there, ranging from Infantryman to Special Forces, and everything in between.

The bulk of the Army is designed to support that force, and a big portion of our Army is dedicated to supply chain management, health care, and civil affairs where people work with communities to build wells," he added.

In fact, the Army’s focus has shifted with the times.

"The Army is repurposing itself to be more of a data-driven force," he said.

The Navy is also competing with the strong labor market and is offering up to $50,000 in bonuses as well, for various positions.

If you are hoping to sign up on the spot though, think again.

"You are going to have to take a test to determine what aptitudes you have. You are going to have to become physically qualified," he added.

For more information on how you can speak with a recruiter, click here.