Overview

• The U.S. military spent over $6 billion from 2022 to 2024 on recruitment and retention efforts, reversing pandemic-related enlistment declines.
• The Navy, despite being smaller, outspent other branches on bonuses but continues to face officer retention challenges in specific roles like aviation and submarine warfare.
• The Army's Future Soldier Prep Course, launched in August 2022, has been pivotal in recruiting lower-performing candidates and boosting enlistment numbers.
• Retention bonuses in the Marine Corps surged in 2024 due to a policy change allowing early reenlistment, benefiting over 7,000 Marines.
• Bonuses across services have been targeted to fill hard-to-staff roles, including cyber, intelligence, special operations, and certain combat jobs.