Boosting enlisted pay to boost recruiting? Nope. (Federal Times)

Boosting enlisted pay to boost recruiting? Nope. – By Leo Shane III (Federal Times) / Mar 22 2023

Military service officials say they’ll use a mix of bonuses and other financial incentives, instead of raising enlisted pay, to meet this year’s recruiting goals.

The White House has proposed a 5.2% pay raise for all service members in 2024, following a 4.6% boost in salaries that went into effect in January. But House and Senate lawmakers have discussed the idea of boosting that even further — particularly for younger enlisted troops — as a way to make up for soaring inflation costs in recent years, and encourage more Americans to sign up.

On Wednesday, during a hearing on recruiting challenges before the Senate Armed Services Committee, senators broached the topic again as a way for military leaders to meet their personnel goals for the year.

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