WHY IS THE MILITARY DECREASING?
The U.S. military expects to fall short of its goals for enrollment in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army expects to recruit 55,000 new soldiers in 2023, 10,000 short of its goal. The Air Force also expects a 10,000-person shortfall, and the Navy expects to be 6,000 shy of its goal. Why are young people turning away from serving their country, even as the enemies of the U.S. are increasing? |
COVID
First, the number of young people who are eligible to serve in the military dropped precipitously last year — from an already low figure of 29 percent to a shocking 23 percent — largely due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions exploded among young Americans, who faced sometimes extreme levels of social isolation. School closures and remote instruction have caused test scores to decline dramatically throughout the country and scores on the ASVAB, the military’s standardized test for potential recruits, declined by as much as 9 percent.
Youth obesity rates, which have long been one of the biggest reasons for military ineligibility, increased from 19 percent to 22 percent during the pandemic. Few of these statistics will rebound quickly — and some may never recover to their pre-pandemic levels.
First, the number of young people who are eligible to serve in the military dropped precipitously last year — from an already low figure of 29 percent to a shocking 23 percent — largely due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions exploded among young Americans, who faced sometimes extreme levels of social isolation. School closures and remote instruction have caused test scores to decline dramatically throughout the country and scores on the ASVAB, the military’s standardized test for potential recruits, declined by as much as 9 percent.
Youth obesity rates, which have long been one of the biggest reasons for military ineligibility, increased from 19 percent to 22 percent during the pandemic. Few of these statistics will rebound quickly — and some may never recover to their pre-pandemic levels.
AFGHANISTAN
More disturbingly, the Reagan National Defense Survey found even steeper declines, with confidence in the U.S. military dropping from 70 percent in 2018 to just 45 percent in 2021 (before rebounding slightly to 48 percent in 2022). Most of this due to Pres. Biden’s inability to end the war in Afghanistan which led to the deaths of 2,324 U.S. military personnel, and 3,917 U.S. contractors and his withdrawal of troops leaving 9,000 Americans left behind. This disgrace would deter many from trusting the President’s commitment to American lives.
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MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
Iranian-backed proxies have attacked U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria at least 150 times since President Joe Biden took office. Since Oct. 17, U.S. forces have been attacked at least 67 times in the region. At least 60 U.S. personnel have been injured, with one civilian contractor killed. An American MQ-9 Reaper drone worth $32 million was shot down in the waters around Yemen. While the injuries are considered minor and the troops returned to duty soon after, according to Ryder, reports of traumatic brain injury tend to trickle in after a blast, as symptoms can sometimes take days or weeks to surface. Traumatic brain injury doesn’t sound minor to me. The U.S. response was firing on 3-4 weapon facilities. This does not bolster confidence in the power or willingness to protect our soldiers. |
MILITARY FAMILIES LOSE FAITH
There are some early indications that fewer people in and around the military are willing to recommend military service to young people. In 2019, almost 75 percent of military families said they would recommend military service to someone they cared about. Yet that figure dropped to just under 63 percent in 2021, another sharp decline in just two years. Since 80 percent of the young people who join the military today have a family member in the military, it may well be that more military families are steering their children away from uniformed service toward civilian careers.
POLITICS, COVERUPS AND WOKE AGENDA
Another is the increasing perception that U.S. military leaders are becoming too involved in politics, partly due to several controversies surrounding Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. The ever-increasing rates of sexual assault in the military became far more widely known after the tragic disappearance and death of Specialist Vanessa Guillen in 2020, and the subsequent disciplining of 14 Army officials at Fort Hood. Indeed, in a fall 2021 survey, 30 percent of Americans aged 16 to 24 said that the possibility of sexual harassment or assault was one of the main reasons why they would not consider joining the U.S. military.
Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Chip Roy published a report called Woke Warfighters, which accuses the Biden administration of weakening military strength by promoting critical race theory, supporting sex-reassignment procedures, and promoting LGBTQ+ individuality. In a recent survey, almost half of Republicans agreed with the statement that “‘woke practices undermining military effectiveness” was one of the reasons for their decreased confidence in the U.S. military.
Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Chip Roy published a report called Woke Warfighters, which accuses the Biden administration of weakening military strength by promoting critical race theory, supporting sex-reassignment procedures, and promoting LGBTQ+ individuality. In a recent survey, almost half of Republicans agreed with the statement that “‘woke practices undermining military effectiveness” was one of the reasons for their decreased confidence in the U.S. military.
NO CONCERN FOR VETS
The United States is facing an alarming rise in homelessness among its veterans, with over 67,495 veterans without a permanent place to call home in 2023. Furthermore, the distressing reality continues as more than one million veterans find themselves living in poverty in 2023.
To combat this crisis, it is crucial to invest in affordable housing programs specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans. Additionally, comprehensive support services, including mental health care, job training, and access to healthcare, must be made readily available to help veterans reintegrate into society successfully. We call upon policymakers, community leaders, and citizens alike to join forces and prioritize the well-being of our veterans.
NO LOVE FOR COUNTRY
Maybe the reason for low enrollment has everything to do with the level of love we have for our country and each other. We can come together after 9/11 but that soon fades because of divisions over politics, morality, government control, special interests and religious differences. Things seem to be getting worse and few want to take responsibility. Our elected officials, do nothing to solve problems and as a result only make more. We are pressed by government mandates made by senile, hairbrained, Hamas sympathizing politicians. We are torn by two parties that either can’t agree on anything or agree on everything even though the ideas are unrealistic. We have special interest groups begging for attention and fraudulently take money for personal gain. We have stooped so low to accuse a 10 year-old Chief’s fan of racism because he painted his face black and red. |
It is truly only God who can resolve this craziness. Let’s remember a couple of scriptures. Love the Lord God and love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matt 22:37-39) Then maybe we can get to “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” (John 15:13-14)
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