Commentary: The military recruiting crisis is getting worse

[rangerrebew]

Commentary: The military recruiting crisis is getting worse
Thomas Spoehr, The Heritage Foundation on Jun 22, 2023
Published in Op Eds

 
At a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, leaders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force all dutifully reported that they expected to miss their annual recruiting goal this year by thousands. This is just the latest sign that the military recruiting crisis—the worst since the institution of the all-volunteer force in 1973—is not abating.


Despite significant efforts by the military services, such as offering hefty enlistment bonuses of up to $50,000 and the ability to choose your first duty station, recruiting numbers have not improved. The effects on the armed forces are sobering: Navy ships are undermanned, and the Army is considering cutting the number of its Brigade Combat Teams.

Assemble 100 experts and veterans in a room and you will hear 100 reasons why recruiting is in trouble. At least one will point to low unemployment and the competitive job market; others will blame the lack of eligible recruits, disqualified by obesity or low test scores. Still more will mention the lack of knowledge among youth of military life and benefits, fear of death or injury, lack of patriotism, concerns about “wokeness,” and fallout from the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Others will cite the differences between young people in Generation Z, who are currently the prime age for recruiting, and prior generations.

https://www.arcamax.com/politics/opeds/s-2841333

[Maj. Bill Martin]

Very likely a combination of reasons, but the wokeness goes right to the heart of what always has been the most pro-military demographic.

[Smokin Joe]

Very likely a combination of reasons, but the wokeness goes right to the heart of what always has been the most pro-military demographic.

The apparent insanity of the flag ranks, especially with the whole 'queering' of the armed services is enough to deter any potential recruit, imho, if they aren't looking for free transition surgery or some such.

You want to work long hours in harsh and sometimes dangerous conditions and get paid? There's still the oil patch, and chances are you'd be treated better if you are severely injured, at least initially. That's not a sales plug, just an option.

Unfortunately, we have entered an era where hard work is not appreciated any more, nor are those who do it, except by those who may even be a majority, but have little access to the microphones and lenses of modern culture.

This is a self-inflicted wound.