Armed service recruiting targets have largely been unmet.
A recent report from the Department of Defense acknowledges that the U.S. Armed Forces are struggling to meet targets for recruiting youth to serve in the nation’s all-volunteer military. They said that an overwhelming majority, 77 percent, of Americans aged 17-24 are unfit for service. That number has risen 6 percent since 2017.
The report concluded that a driving factor in eligibility decline was obesity, where rates have consistently increased for decades, and where 42.9 percent of America’s adult population qualify as obese. That number was more than 10 points lower in 1999.
Another factor in recruiting is a perception that the military places too much focus on left-wing social experiments.
In addition, young people, according to a new survey, simply do not see serving in the military as a safe place or a good career path. Others say military service would result in having them put their lives “on hold” if they joined. The mandated COVID-19 vaccine issue also deterred a number of would-be volunteers.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for Secretary Austin as he oversees the U.S. Defense Department.
- For U.S. military recruiters as they attempt to obtain enlistments for the various branches.
- For the president and his administration as they make decisions regarding the U.S. Armed Forces.
Sources: Just The News, VOA, Stars & Stripes
