Most members of the Florida National Guard could be paid to bring in new recruits, as lawmakers expand efforts to bulk up the military in the state.
The House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a bill (HB 723) that would provide $250 to “recruiting assistants” for each new member referred to the National Guard and an additional $250 upon a recruit’s enlistment.
The measure, which would create the Florida National Guard Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program, or “JEEP,” also would allow guard retirees to serve as recruiting assistants.
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Bill sponsor Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, said the Florida National Guard has struggled to maintain the maximum strength allowed under federal law.
“The JEEP program would create an incentive-based program for existing members and retired members,” Daley said.
The proposal also comes as the Legislature could send a memorial — a type of resolution — to Congress seeking to increase the size of the Florida National Guard (SM 1036 and HM 971).
The Florida National Guard had 10,314 members in the Army National Guard and 2,165 in the Air National Guard as of September. That put the Florida force proportionally 53rd in size from among 54 states and territories that have a National Guard, according to a state analysis.
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“Along with the state’s low positioning of Florida National Guard members to current population, Florida is expected to increase in population by 5 million over the next 10 years,” the analysis said. “Moreover, Florida ranks as the fourth most disaster-prone state nationally.”
Most members of the Florida National Guard could be paid to bring in new recruits, as lawmakers expand efforts to bulk up the military in the state.
The House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a bill (HB 723) that would provide $250 to “recruiting assistants” for each new member referred to the National Guard and an additional $250 upon a recruit’s enlistment.
The measure, which would create the Florida National Guard Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program, or “JEEP,” also would allow guard retirees to serve as recruiting assistants.
Bill sponsor Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, said the Florida National Guard has struggled to maintain the maximum strength allowed under federal law.
“The JEEP program would create an incentive-based program for existing members and retired members,” Daley said.
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The proposal also comes as the Legislature could send a memorial — a type of resolution — to Congress seeking to increase the size of the Florida National Guard (SM 1036 and HM 971).
The Florida National Guard had 10,314 members in the Army National Guard and 2,165 in the Air National Guard as of September. That put the Florida force proportionally 53rd in size from among 54 states and territories that have a National Guard, according to a state analysis.
“Along with the state’s low positioning of Florida National Guard members to current population, Florida is expected to increase in population by 5 million over the next 10 years,” the analysis said. “Moreover, Florida ranks as the fourth most disaster-prone state nationally.”
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