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guest
editorial

Considering the Military Model for

Recruiting and Retention in Corrections

For the last several years, But how would this possi- strict discipline, a loss of many Matt Dolan, J.D.
leaders nationwide have bly work? How can we afford personal freedoms and the
struggled with the challenge to function with this kind of constant risk of engaging in
of recruiting and, just as built-in turnover? What would combat. Many military service
importantly, retaining quali- this look like? Fortunately, members spend a great deal of
fied corrections officers. To we have an existing model to time away from their families,
say that the work can often which we can look for guid- creating additional personal
be challenging and under- ance: the U.S. Military. hardships. In other words,
appreciated would be an military service members face
understatement. This problem What Is the Military Model? many career hardships that are
was exacerbated for years by Joining the military means similar to those faced by cor-
a healthy economy in which sacrificing personal freedom rections officers.
higher paying jobs were seen for a regimented and often On average, the Depart-
as a threat to recruiting and dangerous job offering mod- ment of Defense budgets
retention efforts. In recent est financial compensation. It approximately $15,000 on
months, the greater threat is a career choice that many recruiting costs for each sol-
to recruiting and retention parents would not encourage dier, sailor, airman or marine
appears to be driven by the their children to pursue. And it plans to hire each year.
1,2
toxic national narrative sur- one that, depending on the After recruiting the individual,
rounding careers in the crimi- political climate, may even the military branches gener-
nal justice system—including result in disdain from those ally spend a few months and
a barrage of negative public civilians whom you serve. between $18,000 and $20,000
commentaries from the media, Does that sound familiar to on the basic training of the
community activists, and anyone in corrections? individual—not counting
elected officials. A recent survey revealed the individual’s salary and
Who would want to do this that only 25% of mothers roughly $4,000 on equipment.
job for 20 or 30 years? That and 33% of fathers would After basic training, the new
seems to be the question. But want their children to join recruit completes his or her
we may be asking the wrong the military. Military service job specialty training course,
1
question. Instead, why should entails a difficult lifestyle, with which could range in costs
we assume that the vast from another $18,000 for cooks
majority of our new recruits and supply clerks, to more
will stay beyond 5 or 10 years? than a million dollars for
And if we grapple with this enlisted aircrew members. 1,2
question, we can look at a After all that effort and
more sustainable model for …we may be asking expense, most military recruits
recruiting qualified applicants, will leave at the end of their
knowing that many—or even the wrong question. first enlistment. According
most—of those officers will to official Department of
not remain in the profession Defense studies, the majority
for 20 years or more. of both officers and enlisted
members of the military will
leave the service when their

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