SLS 23RS-2716 ORIGINAL 2023 Regular Session SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 174 BY SENATOR BARROW CONGRESS. Memorializes the U.S. Congress to assist with a La. pilot program for the recruitment of new members to the U.S. Army. 1 A RESOLUTION 2 To memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to assist in 3 the establishment of a Louisiana pilot program for the recruitment of new United 4 States Army members to address the military recruitment shortage. 5 WHEREAS, the United States Army was founded to serve the American people, 6 defend the nation, protect vital national interests, and fulfill national military responsibilities; 7 and 8 WHEREAS, the United States Army helps to maintain peace and stability in the 9 United States and in regions critical to the interests of the United States; and 10 WHEREAS, recruiting and retaining service members is essential for our military 11 members and national security; and 12 WHEREAS, in recent years, the United States Army has struggled to recruit qualified 13 and willing recruits; and 14 WHEREAS, last fiscal year, the United States Army missed its recruiting goal by 15 fifteen thousand active duty soldiers, or twenty-five percent of its target; and 16 WHEREAS, the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services convened 17 recently to explore solutions to the military recruitment crisis; and 18 WHEREAS, for decades, Louisiana has had the nation's highest incarceration rate Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 174 SLS 23RS-2716 ORIGINAL 1 and state leaders have sought programs to reduce recidivism and alternatives to 2 incarceration; and 3 WHEREAS, elected officials want to work with the armed forces, law enforcement, 4 and advocates to develop a plan to improve military eligibility which includes nonviolent 5 offenders between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five with a high school diploma or 6 college degree, such as an associate degree or bachelor's degree, to participate in the pilot 7 program and join the United States Army. 8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana 9 does hereby memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary 10 to assist in the establishment of a Louisiana pilot program for the recruitment of new United 11 States Army members to address the military recruitment shortage. 12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the offenders who fail to complete the pilot 13 program or who fail to enlist in the United States Army shall return to the custody of the 14 Department of Public Safety and Corrections with credit for time served in the pilot 15 program. 16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the 17 presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the 18 United States of America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation. The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Matt DeVille. DIGEST SR 174 Original 2023 Regular Session Barrow Memorializes the U.S. Congress to assist with a La. pilot program for the recruitment of new members to the U.S. Army. Page 2 of 2