Oklahoma National Guard ups incentives for new enlistees, re-enlistments

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Army National Guard is increasing incentives in an effort to get more recruits and to get more current soldiers to re-enlist. <br/><br/>New recruits will get a bonus of

Friday, January 21st 2005, 8:53 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The Oklahoma Army National Guard is increasing incentives in an effort to get more recruits and to get more current soldiers to re-enlist.

New recruits will get a bonus of $6,000 or $10,000, depending on their field of practice.

Current soldiers who'll re-enlist for six years will get a $15,000 bonus.

Officials say a drop in recruits is the reason for the incentives. Lieutenant Colonel Greg Davis says the state is about 350 soldiers below the required level.

He says the Guard has $6,785 soldiers and needs about $7,150 by the end of the fiscal year.

The Guard also offers 100% tuition assistance for its members attending state-supported colleges or technical institutes and a student loan program.