The United States Military, especially the Army, have seen issues in recruiting the last few years, with numbers declining more as the years pass. There is good news, recruitment numbers have gradually increased over the last year. But it has hardly put a dent in the issue. Now, it is not so much a problem with recruiting as it is with retaining those they recruited.
Since 2022, nearly one-quarter of soldiers recruited to the Army have not completed their initial contracts, leaving within the first two years of enlistment. But how has the challenge gone from recruiting to keeping those recruits? Well, it goes back to the Biden Administration, and their endless effort to push DEI into every facet of our life, including the military.
From that point on, the military has been all about DEI. They have even had ads that express their proudness of transgender members, and it was encouraged by Biden promoting multiple DEI hires into major positions. It essentially took our military from being feared among the world to looking on the surface like a total joke.
Jim Blythe, host of the Veterans Impact Show, says all of those efforts eroded the meritocracy foundations of the Army, which they prided themselves on since their inception.
"You used to have to be exemplary to gain in rank...it became more politicized, and no, a lot of people did not like that at all...and I can't say I blame them," he says. "If I could not gain in my job because I could not get promoted, I would be really unhappy with that too."
As mentioned, there has been an increase in recruiting and enrollment recently, which is signaling a turnaround. But that still does not address the problem of retention. Another problem lies with the disastrous 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, which ultimately was the fault of the Biden Administration.
That day, 13 American soldiers died, and in his infinite wisdom, Biden's team decided to leave millions in military equipment behind and leave human assets behind in the hands of the Taliban. Good people who aided military personnel in intelligence gathering, or even translation, all left behind to be likely killed by terrorist hooligans overthrowing their government.
Yes, the plan to withdraw was Trump's in his first term, but the execution of the idea was not his. It was Biden's befuddling incompetence that led to one of the most embarrassing days in United States history. That all warped into people losing faith in our own military system and contributes to the low retention.
"Like any organization, everybody talked...there was a lot of real, real, real bad feelings about how they did that," says Blythe.
It also made plenty of people, who are legacy members of the military, feel like they are not being backed by a true American. Because Patriotism to Biden was like ants at a picnic. It just did not matter to him.
Another problem has been the treatment of veterans. In many cases, 18-year-olds are sent off to kill and see unspeakable things. Then they come home, get a pat on the back, and nothing else. Veterans Affairs has not done much to help, as veteran suicide rates continue climbing. The lack of care certainly contributes to people being turned off by joining.
The other issue has been the boom of the technology sector. The advancing tech has required experienced people to be hired, and one of the best places to start the hiring process is by looking at the military.
"Where do you learn a lot of tech skills? In the military," says Blythe. "People have been offered bonuses, and all kinds of opportunities to go into private industry."
There is some good happening, though. Blythe adds that the Army's focus on education, and increasing basic academic learning, has helped bring people back. We are correcting the path somewhat, especially with President Trump back in office. But staying on that path means installing good leadership and caring about our veterans again.
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