The recruiting crisis in the US military has deepened as current and former troops discourage their loved ones from joining, causing concern over the tradition of multi-generation service that has historically been the nation’s main source of new soldiers. According to the Wall Street Journal, veterans are increasingly advising against enlistment due to a tight labor market, low pay, debilitating injuries, suicides, and indecisive wars. Additionally, the controversy surrounding the Pentagon’s focus on left-wing issues such as transgenderism and critical race theory has also contributed to the decline in enthusiasm for military service.
One US Navy veteran, Catalina Gasper, who still suffers from a traumatic brain injury incurred during a Taliban attack on her base in Kabul, expressed her disappointment and questioned the purpose of her service. She pledged to prevent her children from joining the military, stating that she sees no sustainability if the military continues to disregard the well-being of its young recruits. Similarly, US Air Force officer Ernest Nisperos, after experiencing the toll of deployments, decided not to encourage his children to join the military. His daughter, Sky Nisperos, who had dreamed of following her father and grandfather’s footsteps, has chosen to pursue a career in graphic design instead. She vividly remembers a moment during a family trip to Disneyland when her father, who had just returned from Afghanistan, cowered in a fetal position during the nightly fireworks show.
The diminishing enthusiasm for enlistment among veterans is troubling for the Pentagon, as the majority of new troops come from military families. Nearly 80% of US Army recruits have family members who have served in the military. Last year, the Army fell short of its recruiting quota by 25% and is projected to face a similar shortfall in 2023. The Navy, which aims to enlist nearly 38,000 individuals this year, may also miss its target by as many as 10,000 recruits after falling short by 3,000 in 2022.
The Pentagon is facing a shallow recruiting pool as more than 70% of young Americans are deemed ineligible for military service due to issues such as obesity, drug use, and mental illness. A Pentagon poll cited by the WSJ reveals that only 9% of 16 to 21-year-olds would consider joining the military, down from 13% before the Covid-19 pandemic. Reports of inadequate housing, subpar medical care, and physical abuse further contribute to the recruiting crisis. Financial struggles are also a concern, with over 20,000 active-duty troops relying on food stamps to feed their families.
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth acknowledged the concerns raised by parents regarding their children’s potential military service. They worry about the quality of living conditions, the prevalence of sexual harassment, and the increased risk of suicidal ideations among servicemembers. These factors contribute to the discouragement of enlistment within military families.
In order to address the recruiting crisis, the Pentagon will need to address these issues and regain the trust and confidence of current and former troops and their families. This may require improvements in pay and benefits, providing better living conditions and medical care, and addressing concerns surrounding the military’s focus on social issues. By addressing these concerns, the military can work towards rebuilding the tradition of multi-generation service and attract a greater number of qualified recruits.
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