Bonuses for Officers.

A few people have emailed to ask what I think of the Army's plan to offer bonuses to junior Officers to entice them to stay green. I've stayed fairly quiet on the matter for a few reasons. First, I'm sure I've said that the Army should do bonuses for a long time -- but it was mainly just as a way to decry the fact that they were offering such huge bonuses to Navy and Air Force Officers to cross over. Second, I don't think monetary compensation is going to work. In fact, I don't even think it's a good first step. Here's why:

1. Good Military Officers don't do it for the money. Most of them do it out of duty, patriotism and a belief that they need to serve.
2. Once they turn CPT, they can leave the service and get a signing bonus through Cameron Brooks or the Lucas Group at twice the amount of what the Army is offering. And oh yeah, an annual salary that puts their Army pay to shame.

Now, I do think that education programs are a good incentive. And it's too bad that the Army didn't have the foresight to think of that before they canceled the advanced civil schooling programs for several year groups. But here's the thing: with the mass Officer exodus, guys are deploying so often and being promoted so fast that there isn't that couple year down time between CPT and MAJ anymore. Most will not be able to take advantage of those degree programs.

It's a conundrum. On one hand, I do applaud the Army for finally deciding that Officers were worth keeping. But on the other, I really wish they'd look at the sample and come up with some kind of incentive plan that actually has the ability to make a difference.

And honestly, I believe all it would take is the Army keeping its day-to-day promises.