National Guard struggling as big Army hits goal

In April, the active-duty Army achieved its retention goal for the fourth consecutive year, signaling that once soldiers are enlisted, they tend to stay and continue their service. However, the Army National Guard is experiencing a different reality. Although optimistic about meeting its recruiting targets this year, the Guard is struggling to retain its soldiers.

"I do love our soldiers. They joined a great team, and I can say for the last four years, every time they've joined the team, they stayed on the team.” https://t.co/cxcocu6Ooi

— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) June 23, 2023

According to data provided to Military.com, the National Guard has only reached approximately 63% of its retention goal to retain 37,000 soldiers, a similar challenge to the 14% retention shortfall experienced last year.

The unique dynamics of the Army National Guard pose distinct challenges in retaining soldiers compared to its active-duty counterpart. Guardsmen must navigate the complexities of juggling their part-time military service with their full-time civilian careers.

Recent years have seen an increase in demands placed on Guard soldiers, which could contribute to the difficulty in retaining them. The scheduling of drills and training exercises often requires Guardsmen to sacrifice additional weekdays, in addition to their weekends, while annual summer training events can span two to four weeks.

Time commitments, alongside critical schools necessary for promotion, can strain the delicate balance between military and civilian obligations. The relationship between Guardsmen and their civilian employers can also become strained, further adding pressure to the decision of whether to continue serving in the Guard.

Although Guard service is officially isolated to weekends, the extended drill schedules can disrupt work routines, and the demands of military training can impact job performance. This delicate balancing act can lead to increased stress and potential conflicts between the obligations of civilian employment and Guard service.

Eric Evans, CEO of Friendly Forces, an advocacy group for Guardsmen and reservists, highlighted the challenges faced by Guardsmen, stating, “Just being in the Guard, you start to get burned out because every month you can be assured, you’re working 12 straight days. You go to work, drill, and then straight back to work.”

The Army National Guard’s contributions to national security have been significant, with Guard units playing a crucial role in combat operations, responding to domestic emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and even assisting during the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

However, the demands on the National Guard show no signs of abating. With the frequency and severity of natural disasters increasing due to climate change, the Guard is expected to be engaged in more frequent disaster response efforts in the future.

Recognizing the importance of addressing soldier retention, the Army National Guard is actively working to improve its strategies. Efforts are underway to enhance the support systems for Guardsmen and provide a better work-life balance. The Guard is exploring innovative approaches to alleviate the pressures faced by soldiers, including the introduction of new reenlistment incentives.

Additionally, the Guard is striving to strengthen its relationship with civilian employers and raise awareness of the invaluable skills and experiences Guardsmen gain through their service.