Army to offer incentives for officers

WASHINGTON, May 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army plans to offer bonuses and educational opportunities to keep mid-level officers in the ranks.

Gen. George W. Casey, the Army chief of staff, announced the plan Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Government Accountability Office recently said the Army faces a shortfall of 3,100 officers a year through 2013. Casey said the Army is meeting retention goals but acknowledged that the number of West Point graduates who decide to remain after their five-year commitment is down 2 percent.

"That is not outside the norms but that is exactly why we are looking at incentives," he said.

Captains who remain in the Army will receive $20,000 re-enlistment bonuses, Casey said. Junior officers will be given the chance to attend graduate school and will have more choice when it comes to assignments.

Casey said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have shown "stress points" in the military.