FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The U.S. Army is working to recruit more people.
According to its website, it's the most challenging labor market since the inception of the all-volunteer force. Now recruiters are hoping to change that.
What You Need To Know
Statistics show only 1% of the population is currently serving, and the veteran population is declining
50% of youth admit they know little to nothing about military service
It's why Fort Bragg hosted a Meet Your Army event for students showcasing occupations in the Army
On Sept. 15, high school and college students spent the day on Fort Bragg during a Meet Your Army event.
The 18th Airborne Corps, along with the Army Recruiting Battalion, led students on an interactive day, demonstrating the many career opportunities in the Army.
Sgt. Andrew Cobo is an Army recruiter in Winston-Salem. He grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and after 9/11 he knew joining the U.S. Army was his calling.
"From where I grew up, I was able to see the Twin Towers and the New York City skyline every single day … and then I wasn’t," Cobo said. "So that led me to to join the NYPD before the Army. And at 21 years old I said, 'If I don't join the Army now, I'm going to regret it.'"
Cobo knew he wanted to join the Army as early as high school. But says he was told in order to succeed he needed to go to college. So instead of joining the Army right away, he took out a $40,000 loan and then couldn't afford to continue after his freshman year.
"There was nobody there my senior year (of high school), to show me another option," Cobo said. "And that’s my job to show these high school seniors that there are other options.”
Statistics show only 1% of the population is currently serving, and the veteran population is declining. And 50% of youth admit to knowing little to nothing about the military service.
And with very low recruitment numbers, Cobo highlighted some of the benefits of joining the Army to students.
"With as little as two years in the Army, and that's the minimum contract that we have ... you can set yourself up with certifications and skills that are going to put you above the people you graduated with in high school, who just did two years in college," Cobo said. "You get college credits for any job that you choose. You get certifications for all of our MOS's (Military Occupational Specialties), and it gives you that extra boost."
Joining the military can be a life-changing commitment. It takes careful consideration whether you want to join up or not. Indeed's career site has pros and cons to joining the military.