Army recruiting has historic goal increase to meet the new size

Columbia, S.C. -- U.S. Army leaders recently announced the need for 6,000 additional active-duty recruits and 1,500 additional Army Reserve recruits by the end of September as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act’s increase in the Army’s size.

U.S. Army Recruiting Command will see the largest in-year goal increase in the command’s history, bringing the original goal of 62,500 to 68,500. This will increase the goals of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, based in Columbia, S.C.

The battalion’s goals increased from 2313 to 2493. This also changed the six recruiting companies within the battalion as follows:

Asheville, N.C. (which includes recruiting centers in the following cities: Asheville, Hickory, Morganton, Shelby and Sylva) from 351 to 378

Augusta, G.A. (which includes recruiting centers in the following cities: Augusta and Evans, G.A., Aiken, S.C, Greenwood, S.C., and Orangeburg, S.C.) from 358 to 387

Charleston, S.C. (which includes recruiting centers in the following cities: Beaufort, Charleston, North Charleston, and Summerville) from 370 to 399

Columbia, S.C. (which includes recruiting centers in the following cities: Columbia and Rock Hill) from 486 to 524

Florence, S.C. (which includes recruiting centers in the following cities: Florence, Georgetown, Myrtle Beach and Sumter) from 332 to 359

Greenville, S.C. (which includes recruiting centers in the following cities: Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Greenville, Simpsonville and Spartanburg) from 416 to 446

The Army has added $200 million in incentive bonuses, fully opened enlistment to those who have served previously to assist with the increase, and increased the number of two-year enlistment opportunities.

The Army’s standards for quality will not change with the mission increase. Currently, only 29 percent of youth meet the physical and mental qualifications required for military service.

To discuss these changes and the impact on the local area, or to request an interview, contact Leslie Ann Sully at 404-808-2317 or leslie.a.sully.civ@mail.mil.

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