Soldiers and veterans are speaking out about the Army’s investigation into a recruiting program that has left them with a criminal record, despite never being charged with a crime. In an effort to address the military recruiting crisis, more than a dozen states have launched programs offering National Guard members bonuses for referring new recruits. However, critics argue that these new incentive programs resemble a previous program that wrongfully implicated innocent soldiers and veterans. The fear of a repeat of this injustice is causing concern among service members.
Around 15 states have implemented programs that provide guardsmen with bonuses ranging from $500 to $1,000 for referring new recruits to the National Guard. These programs, known by different names and acronyms, share similarities with the National Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP), which was discontinued in 2012 due to fraud allegations. Despite little evidence of fraud, around 2,000 soldiers and veterans were wrongly marked with a criminal record, hampering their careers. The Army later admitted its mistake and began correcting the records in late 2022.
States are hoping to learn from the flaws of G-RAP while still capitalizing on its success. Alabama, for example, launched a Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (J.E.E.P.) in November 2020 and has seen 285 enlistments since then. Lieutenant Colonel Clay Strickland of the Alabama National Guard stated that they have taken steps to prevent impropriety and ensure accountability. However, concerns remain about the lack of a clear process for addressing accusations of wrongdoing.
Some veterans and experts worry that the new programs may repeat the mistakes of the past. Frank Russo, director of the ACUF Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Advisory Council, emphasizes the need for accountability and due process. He points out that some states plan to contract with a third party, similar to the G-RAP program, which had disastrous results. The National Guard Bureau has considered making every Guardsman a recruiter, but no new G-RAP has been announced at the federal level yet.
Soldiers like 1st Lt. Llewelyn Hughes, who had their careers stalled due to false marks on their records, are skeptical of the Army’s commitment to change. Hughes believes that recreating a similar program before addressing past injustices is troubling. Many G-RAP victims are calling for hearings and transparency from the Army.
The concerns raised by soldiers and veterans highlight the need for careful implementation and oversight of recruiting programs. While these programs aim to address the military recruiting crisis, it is crucial to ensure that innocent service members are not wrongfully implicated and that proper accountability measures are in place.
