The United States has shelled out over $6 billion since 2022 to recruit and retain military service members.

The investments came during a period when the U.S. struggled to meet enlistment goals, according to the Associated Press. The Army recruited 50,181, or 76.6%, of its target goal in fiscal 2023 and 44,901, or 74.8%, of the target goal in fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2023, the U.S. Air Force fell about 10% short of its enlistment goal. Other branches have similarly suffered, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, which threw recruiting efforts for a loop.