{"id":78031,"date":"2024-05-02T15:44:28","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T15:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/05\/02\/air-force-navy-likely-to-fall-short-on-reserve-recruits-in-2024\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:07:39","slug":"air-force-navy-likely-to-fall-short-on-reserve-recruits-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2024\/05\/02\/air-force-navy-likely-to-fall-short-on-reserve-recruits-in-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force, Navy likely to fall short on reserve recruits in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leaders from the Air Force Reserve and Navy Reserve told lawmakers in written testimonies Tuesday that their forces are expected to fall short of this year\u2019s fiscal year recruitment goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In statements submitted to the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, the chiefs of the two components \u2014 whose members perform essential missions both at home and around the world \u2014 said a competitive environment to bring in new talent continues to remain a hurdle, although retaining troops who previously joined has been less of an obstacle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While active duty officials from several of the services have said their recruiting programs are on track<\/a> to meet fiscal year 2024 goals, following a tough period of attracting new troops<\/a> across the armed forces, some reserve components appear to still be facing difficulties in meeting their authorized numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Air Force Reserve faces many recruiting challenges \u2014 a decreasing propensity to serve, insufficient recruiter manning, cultural headwinds, and a competitive employment market \u2014 which are expected to persist over the next several years,\u201d Joe Gangemi, a spokesperson from the Air Force Recruiting Service, told Military Times Wednesday via email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy Reserve is projected to finish approximately 1,200 sailors short of its FY24 end strength of 57,200, Navy Reserve chief Vice Adm. John Mustin said in his written testimony<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, a Navy Reserve official underscored that missing that projected end strength, which they noted would still end up higher than the actual total of personnel reached the previous two fiscal years (in FY22 that was 55,224<\/a> and in FY23 it was 55,072<\/a>), only provides part of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Capt. Sean Foertsch, a spokesperson for the Navy Reserve chief, shared with Military Times Wednesday that enlisted prior service recruiting is currently achieving 106 percent of the Navy Reserve\u2019s goal and that the Selected Reserve enlisted retention rates are within half a percent of a seven-year high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while sailing against recruitment headwinds, Foertsch emphasized the ways in which the Navy Reserve has worked to combat the recruiting shortfall, including offering retention bonuses<\/a>, tuition assistance and the establishment of the Navy Recruiting Reserve Command. That helps attract sailors who served on active duty by transitioning them to the Navy Reserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur focus remains on not only meeting quantitative goals but also ensuring the readiness and quality of our force,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t