Governor Inslee signs Washington National Guard recruitment bill

SPOKANE, Wash. – Governor Jay Inslee signed a bill this week which will offer bonuses to Washington National Guard members who refer a peer to serve. 

SB 5803 allows the state National Guard to offer referral bonuses of up to $500 to service members who bring a peer on board. 

Major General Bret Daughtery argued that the referral funding put the Washington National Guard in-line with other military and law enforcement agencies. 

“We do it [in Washington] at other state agencies – to include the Washington State Patrol,” Daughtery said. 

In the face of the US Army failing to meet recruitment goals, including a 15,000 soldier recruitment shortfall in 2022, the branch instituted promotion incentives for enlisted members. 

Recruitment for military and law enforcement has posed a challenge for state agencies due to wider trends in youth attitudes and health. 

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 40 percent of young adults physically qualify for military service. A separate 2022 Pentagon study found that 77 percent of young adults are not military-ready. 

Daughtery anticipates that the new referral bonuses will address recruitment goals for the Washington National Guard. 

“Referral programs that offer financial incentives work,” Daughtery said. 

The bill, which is now Washington State Law, was unanimously supported in the state legislature and will harness existing national guard funding.