Army to allow long-term service transition for more noncommissioned officers

The Army said Friday it will allow qualified noncommissioned officers to transition to long-term service starting in 2028 in a personnel overhaul plan in an effort to help enhance their job security.

The move comes as the Army has been struggling to attract noncommissioned officers, who make up the backbone of the military, amid a shrinking number of newly appointed officers and the country's population decline.

The Army previously only selected the top 20 percent of noncommissioned officers who ...