Stand-To!- Army testing enlistment incentive providing home/business funds - February 6, 2008

Wed Feb 6 10:42:54 EST 2008

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Edition: Wed, February 06, 2008
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2008-02-06> 

TODAY'S FOCUS

Army testing enlistment incentive providing home/business funds 

What Is It?
The Army has begun offering a new enlistment incentive to prospective
recruits in five test markets that provides money to make a down payment on
a home or start a business. 

Through the new Army Advantage Fund (AAF), people joining the active Army
are eligible for up to $40,000 for a five-plus year enlistment, and those
enlisting in a reserve component are eligible for up to $20,000 for a
five-plus year enlistment. The AAF applies only to those choosing certain
military occupational specialties (MOS). 

What Has the Army Done?
On Feb. 04, 2008 the Army launched pilot AAF programs in Albany, N.Y.;
Cleveland,Ohio; Montgomery, Ala.; San Antonio, Texas; and Seattle, Wash. The
AAF could eventually be offered nationally should results in the test
markets warrant. 

Why is this Important to the Army?
The Army is too small to meet the nation's 21st century national security
needs, threat environment, and ongoing global commitments. The Army is
growing, but it continues to face the most challenging recruiting
environment in the 30+ year history of the all-volunteer force. The AAF
reflects the Army's continuing innovation in competing with private industry
and the other military branches for personnel. 

"What we are hearing from our young people and [their] influencers is that,
although it is essential to them to establish home ownership and get started
down their chosen career path, many times they question how they will be
able to accomplish it," says LTG Benjamin C. Freakley, commanding general of
U.S. Army Accessions Command. "The Army recognizes these challenges, and
wants to be a part of the solution by offering young adults the proper funds
which will allow them to live their American Dream."

How Does this Impact the Individual Soldier?
In its five test markets, the AAF is a new enlistment incentive to tell
Soldier candidates about and possibly earn a bonus. Soldiers and Army
Civilians can get $2,000 for each person they refer who enlists, completes
basic training, and graduates advanced individual training.

People in the five test markets eligible for AAF meet the following
criteria:
* No prior military service
* For Regular Army or Army Reserve enlistees
* Must join for three to five years, depending on AAF bonus amount the
enlistee desires
* Must choose an eligible Military Occupational Specialty
* Be a high school senior (as long as he/she graduates with a diploma) or a
high school graduate (includes home-schoolers)
* Place within score categories I-IIIA for the military aptitude test
(minimum score: 50 percent).

For more information on the Army Advantage Fund, go to: Army Advantage Fund
<http://www.goarmy.com/aaf/> 

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

* 2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993?c=ZGF2aWQudmVyZ3VuMg==> - Read
the 2007 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

* Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879> 

* Army Public Affairs Portal <https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363> 

* Stories of Valor <http://www.army.mil/valor> 

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

*	Odierno is tapped for Army promotion (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR200802050
2887.html> ) 
*	Army mapmakers key for aerial missions (MIL
<http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161482,00.html> ) 
*	Army's budget and Soldier request (MIL
<http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161481,00.html> ) 
*	2nd Brigade getting new motor pool at Grafenwöhr (S&S
<http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52243> )

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

*	U.S. Troops kill at least 3 Iraqi civilians in raid (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/05/AR200802050
3032.html> ) 
*	U.S. allies in Iraq lodge complaint (PI
<http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/15345962.html> ) 
*	U.S., Iraq to discuss relations (WT
<http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080206/FOREIGN/92814257> ) 
*	Afghanistan strains NATO ties (CSM
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0206/p01s03-wogi.html> )

OF INTEREST

*	Dempsey nominated to take helm at USAREUR (S&S
<http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52245> ) 
*	Defense Department cites urgent need for supplemental funds (DL
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48868> ) 
*	Fallujah park created in girl's memory (MIL
<http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,161497,00.html> ) 
*	Troops and tribes (ARNG
<http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/archives/2008/02/020508-troops_tribes.aspx> )

WORLD VIEW

*	CIA admits waterboarding inmates (BBC <http://news.bbc.co.uk/>  |
Story <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7229169.stm> ) 
*	Extra firepower sent to Afghanistan as UK digs in (GU
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/>  | Story
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,2253152,00.html> ) 
*	NATO not winning in Afghanistan: study (TT
<http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index.asp>  | Story
<http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=162740> ) 
*	U.S. 'must remain in Iraq' (TA
<http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/>  | Story
<http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23165379-26397,00.html>
)

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

*	They're not getting the respect they deserve (SM
<http://soldiersmind.com/2008/02/05/theyre-not-getting-the-respect-they-dese
rve/> ) 
*	On the road again (AP
<http://acutepolitics.blogspot.com/2008/02/on-road-again.html> ) 
*	This is not an episode of "24" (AWC
<http://armywivesconnected.blogspot.com/2008/02/this-is-not-episode-of-24.ht
ml> ) 
*	Soldier injured while saving comrade (SN
<http://www.strykernews.com/archives/2008/02/05/soldier_injured.html> )

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