Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Benjamin Corell says it’s increasingly difficult to recruit new soldiers and airmen — and less than 30 percent of young Americans meet the physical and medical requirements for membership.
In a typical year, Corell says about 700 recruits apply for an Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship, but this past year that’s increased to 900 — and he says reducing the amount of each scholarship would hurt recruiting efforts.
The governor’s budget calls for a one-and-a-half million dollar increase for Iowa National Guard Service Scholarships — for a total of over six MILLION dollars in scholarship money for recruits.
Corell cites recent studies indicating 2022 was the worst year for military recruiting since 1973 as the military began the transition to an all-volunteer force. Corell estimates the latest batch of new Iowa National Guard recruits is about 60 percent of his target. He has about 98 percent of the soldiers the Pentagon has authorized for the Iowa Army National Guard and 97 percent of the airmen for the Iowa Air National Guard.
Corell spoke with reporters after he delivered the annual “Condition of the Guard” address to legislators.
