STAND TO!

I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord invite the public to a Meet Your Army Day at Cowan Stadium on Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is in response to current recruiting challenges described in a July 20 memorandum - A Call to Service to Overcome Recruiting and Retention Challenge - issued by the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army. It outlines the current difficulties in the recruiting environment and the efforts the Army is making to meet the challenge.

"The United States Army exists for one purpose, to protect the nation by fighting and winning our nation's wars as a member of the Joint Force, and our readiness depends on a quality All-Volunteer Force," reads the memorandum.

Presently only 23% of 17- to 24-year-old Americans are qualified to serve. Part of the shortfall in recruiting is due to pandemic-driven constraints that have affected physical fitness levels and a decline in academic preparedness; part is due to the military having to compete with the private sector; and part is due to potential recruits having lost confidence in many American institutions, to include the military.

The Meet Your Army event is open to the public and tailored to young adults to allow them to explore the educational and varied career opportunities the Army offers. 

Recruiters will be on site to answer questions about current enlistment bonuses, education benefits and other career incentives. Free shirts, bags and other items will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Guests can speak with soldiers about various career fields such as intelligence, medicine, aviation, infantry, engineering, IT/cyber, logistics, military police, special forces, and artillery.

There will also be tours of Army aircraft, vehicles and equipment, to include a Black Hawk helicopter, a Stryker armored vehicle, EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) bomb disposal gear, firefighting equipment, and long-range artillery systems.

And last, guest will be able to observe military working dogs, try out some of the Army's latest workout equipment, and enjoy some games in the Army's eSports gaming trailer. 

"We are in a war for talent, and it will take all our people - soldiers across all components, families, Army civilians, and Soldiers for Life - to fight and win this war," concluded the memorandum.

Guests can access JBLM at any time between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by entering through the Dupont Gate (I-5 Exit 119). From there they will be directed through security screening and to parking. For safety and convenience, buses will shuttle guests from the visitor parking area to the event. DoD-card holders such as military families may park directly outside Cowan Stadium.

To register for the event, or learn more about career options in the Army, visit https://go.usa.gov/xSGHu.