http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/06/19/10207-army-launches-recruiter-assistance-program/
Jun 19, 2008
BY Elizabeth M. Lorge
Active-duty enlisted Soldiers and future Soldiers in the Delayed
Entry Program can now serve as assistant recruiters and earn extra
money in their off-duty hours.
The Army Recruiter Assistance Program, which became effective Monday,
will pay these Soldiers $1,000 when a recruit they refer enlists and
another $1,000 when that recruit ships to basic combat training.
That's often months sooner than the bonuses all Soldiers,
active-duty, reserve-component and retired, and Department of the
Army Civilians, are eligible to receive under the $2,000 referral
program. Under the $2K program, these bonuses, also in payments of
$1,000, are not available until the recruit starts basic training,
and then completes advanced individual training. Soldiers can
participate in both recruiting programs, but not by referring the
same prospect twice, officials said.
"(A Soldier) is kind of like a walking billboard," said Al Green, the
chief of the Recruiting Policy Branch at the Office of the Deputy
Chief of Staff for G-1 (Personnel). "He has a big impact because
people trust Soldiers…So if this Soldier is telling me how the Army
was for him, he's a living testament of how the Army works. He can
address and overcome some objections or concerns that a prospect
would have, so once he gets to the recruiter, he probably has his
mind made up."
In addition to actually referring people, Soldiers in the A-RAP
program are expected to spend time with potential recruits, encourage
them and answer any questions they might have about the Army.
According to Green, Soldiers need to go with their prospects to see
recruiters, and should attend Delayed Entry Program meetings with
them after they enlist.
"You are walking this applicant through this process, from the day he
joins until he ships, because if you do that, you probably will get
him to ship," said Green. "There is a little bit more work involved
(than the $2K program), but I think one of the things that would
enhance participation would be the timeliness of pay. Some
individuals, depending on their specialty, can't get into basic
training for seven or eight months because of space availability and
things of that nature…it has an impact. The bottom line is that they
will get $1,000 immediately."
To be eligible for the program, Soldiers also must complete training
about the basics of screening individuals to determine their
eligibility, and need the approval of their unit commander. Soldiers
can only participate in A-RAP when they are off-duty, because they
are technically working for a private contactor to provide recruiting
assistance, and they can't wear a uniform or use government
resources. For legal reasons, commissioned officers and warrant
officers cannot participate in A-RAP, although they are still
eligible for the $2K program.
Average Soldiers, Green said, can make a real difference to the Army
and its recruiting goals through programs like A-RAP, because they
are telling the Army story in a way that will resonate much deeper
than recruiters working on their own.
He also added that the participation of future Soldiers in the
delayed entry program is key because they can encourage their former
classmates and other friends who may still be deciding what to do
with their lives. In turn, that future Soldier, may have more friends
to serve with.
For additional information or to apply, visit
http://www.2k.army.mil/armyrap.htm.
The Army Reserve has a similar recruiting assistance program called
AR-RAP and the National Guard has G-RAP.
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