http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071203/UPDATES01/71203016/1002/CLEVELAND (AP) — The Army isn’t relying on patriotism alone to attract recruits.
Starting in January, recruiters will offer new enlistees up to $40,000 toward their mortgage or to start a business. The $40,000 requires a five-year commitment and is available after finishing the term of service.
The Army Advantage Program will be tested in Cleveland, Montgomery, Ala.; Albany, N.Y.; Seattle and San Antonio before it is offered nationwide. The Army public relations department would not say why the cities were chosen other than through demographic research.
The Army has suffered a historic dip in recruiting the last few years during the war in Iraq. Despite failing to meet recruiting goals, it has increased its overall size by several thousand. Last year, the Army eased restrictions on recruits with criminal offenses to help bolster numbers.