PINELLAS PARK, FLA. - As the Army Reserve approaches its 100th anniversary, it has rolled out a new incentive program to aid its soldiers in earning extra income, all the while supporting recruiting efforts.
The Army Reserve Recruiter Assist Program is designed to help the AR achieve its goal to increase the number of qualified soldiers in its ranks."The Army Reserve is celebrating its 100th Anniversary on April 23. The Army Reserve Recruiter Assist program was rolled out to give Reserve soldiers a hands-on opportunity to help keep our Army strong, while putting some extra cash in their pockets," said Maj. William Ritter, public affairs officer for the Army Reserve Medical Command.
The AR-RAP program is designed to increase the number of new soldiers recruited, by permitting any Reserve soldier to become qualified as recruiter assistants. Volunteer applicants will serve as part-time RAs after being hired. This will give the soldiers an opportunity to earn extra money, in addition to their normal AR salary.
"It transforms the way the AR conducts recruiting and retention operations, returning it to community-based recruiting," said Ritter. "Interested individuals can now talk directly to any soldier who completes the RAs program. They will not have to go into a recruiter's office. It is more informal and will give RAs an opportunity to talk to their friends and family about the opportunities in the Army Reserve without the pressure sometimes felt at a recruiting office."
As the AR celebrates its 100th anniversary, it must be ready to meet the future congressionally mandated strength requirements. Recruiting through the AR-RAP program will aid the AR in achieving that goal, a 6,000-soldier increase from its current congressionally mandated strength.
Soldiers who participate in the program can earn an extra $2,000 per new soldier they aid in joining the Army Reserve.
With the Army Reserve officially turning 100, commands throughout the Army Reserve will host events throughout 2008 to celebrate its birthday and demonstrate 100 years of Army strong.
For more information or to enroll in the AR-RAP program, soldiers can go to www.ar-rap.com
