The US Army reports it is having some serious problems when it comes to recruiting new soldiers. Last month, according to the AP: “Army officials … said the service will fall about 10,000 soldiers short of its planned end strength for this fiscal year, and prospects for next year are grimmer.”
The army is not alone in missing recruitment goals:
Senior Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps leaders have said they are hopeful they will meet or just slightly miss their recruiting goals for this year. But they said they will have to dip into their pool of delayed entry applicants, which will put them behind as they begin the next recruiting year.
In fact, recruitment prospects are so grim that 2022 is looking to be the worst recruiting year for the army since 1973, when the US military transitioned to an all-volunteer—i.e., nonconscripted—force. The days of the post-9/11 surge in enlistments are long gone, and noted for two lost wars in recent years, the US military now faces a new environment of declining public support. Moreover, with its recent drive to showcase its commitment to so-called woke policy goals, the military may be alienating conservatives—a group that has long been a reliable source of recruits and political support.
Ultimately, of course, the military can always get more troops by raising pay and lowering standards. The latter requires only a policy change. And, given the federal government’s ability to essentially print money, the former is unlikely to be an insurmountable problem for the Pentagon either.
The good news, however, is that the military’s recruiting woes are likely yet another signal of declining support for the federal government and its institutions. The federal government has benefited immensely from the fact that the military has long been one of the most popular institutions within the central government. Even as many Americans claim they distrust the government or oppose “the bureaucracy,” widespread support for the government military bureaucracy has long helped to prop up the legitimacy of federal institutions. If falling enlistments are an indication of declining faith in the military overall, that would be a positive development, indeed.
Nobody working under a Democrat COUP 2020 !!!!!
We talked about this here a few years ago when CONgress informed DOD it needed cost savings in the miliitary ranks. DOD Contractors seemed to be exempt but our military force was on the chopping block.
– retirement age change
– benefit changes to those serving
– less benefits for newbies
– changes with the education credits
– etc
Then a few of us gray beards reacting that in years to come, the military would have a difficult time finding enlisted personnel (new GEN mindset) not to mention reduced benefits.
Its been a few years and here comes the wave of less military recruits. Not everyone can be an officer. Need enlisted personnel to fill the rank/file.
Recruiting in lower income areas DOESNT work anymore either. The inkling to “serve” is no longer there.
who wants to serve the demons we have in power right now who are against everything american. no one. patriotism is no more. of course, our country isn’t really our country any more either.
You can make more money in the service sector. Risk life and limb and end up with PTSD’s not exposed to burn dumps and get better health care than the VA. The nostalgic notion of ” Serving” in the last 30 years and the Valorless conflicts we have been involved and the opportunities that the unmaimed return to is not worth all the brainwashed Glory and loss of one’s youth.