WASHINGTON – The U.S. military is experiencing one of the worst recruiting shortfalls in 50 years. In fiscal year 2023, the military branches collectively missed their recruiting goals by approximately 41,000 recruits.
Earlier this week, representatives from each, testified before the House Armed Services Committee about the underlying causes behind the shortfall.
“Thirty years ago when I was in high school, 40 percent of youth had a parent that served, but today, that number is under 13 percent,” said Alex Wagner, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
While witnesses outlined challenges ranging from getting recruiters into schools during COVID, to a decrease in eligibility, Republicans zeroed in on polling that suggests the problem is because the military has become, “the administration’s next social justice project.”
“This poll, which we can all read, found that 73 percent of veterans believe the U.S. military has become too political, regarding race, gender, sexuality. Even worse, a quarter of the veterans would tell young people not to enlist,” said Rep. Jim Banks, (R-Indiana).Â
“We’re now at the third time having this conversation about recruiting, and rather than actually listening to experts saying, ‘It’s complicated,’ because it is complicated, we’re still
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