MVedR

Oct 02, 2022

What Ails The US Military?

Hannah was 17 years old when she enlisted for the US Navy. Remember her name. We'll get to her story later. For now, let's consider what is ailing the US military.

The all volunteer force era began in 1973. The US Army and other branches of the military are now facing the biggest recruitment crisis since 1973.

The US military's recruiting shortfall has become so severe that lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon for answers.

The legislators on the Hill are extremely concerned about the implication this development has for US national security.

The fact that the US military is facing the biggest recruitment crisis in half a century is obvious when one looks at the numbers. The solution? Less obvious.

The fact that the US military is facing the biggest recruitment crisis in half a century is obvious when one looks at the numbers. The solution? Less obvious.

This constitutes an unprecedented mission gap and is reason for concern," said Stephanie Miller, deputy assistant secretary of defence for military personnel policy yesterday to the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee.

All of the military's branches are struggling to attract enough recruits but the Army's failure is particularly pronounced.

What are the challenges to recruitment?

The American society has changed a lot over the last 50 years.

Whilst other societies with relatively low exposure to the reality of life in America, ape the American culture, as they perceive it as something worth aspiring to, the US itself is struggling with the consequences of societal changes that it has witnessed over the last 50 years.