newYou can now listen to Fox News articles.
All U.S. Volunteers celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. Since 1973, with rare exceptions, the U.S. military has met annual recruitment targets and improved force quality.
But right now, the company is facing its worst hiring crisis in its history. Last year, the Army fell short of its recruitment target by 25% and already predicts he will miss the target again in 2023. So are the Air Force and Navy.
Officials cite many reasons for the shortage, including low unemployment, fewer young people eligible for military service, and declining public confidence in the military. Whatever the reason, these conscription failures portend trouble in military preparations.
Rebellious General Millie Claims US Military Awakening ‘Materially Exaggerated’
But perhaps the greater misfortune is that unless this trend changes, thousands of young Americans will miss out on opportunities to improve their current situation, learn important leadership and life skills, and actually become better citizens. It means that
The Army is 25% short of its 2022 recruitment target, and 2023 looks bleak. (U.S. Army)
Aside from the inherent virtues of serving our country, the U.S. military provides one of the most reliable means for America’s young people to rise above their circumstances and achieve aspirations. At a time when an overwhelming percentage of Americans lack the confidence that their children will have a better life than they did, the military is a demonstration of how young people can acquire vital skills and build a better life. It offers a paved road.
One study concluded that enlisting in the Army increased average annual earnings by more than $4,000 over the first 19 years of service. Another study suggested that the effects were most severe in black families.
Countless stories about how the military gave young people opportunities go unreported. It was Javier Galván who was not. Born into a poor family, Galván had a difficult time in high school, until one day in class he happened to hear a pitch for a Marine recruiter and was intrigued.
After serving in the Marines in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Galvan decided to become a doctor. He is currently a radiology resident at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “His enlistment in the military helped him overcome his predicament,” Galvan said.
Like all human endeavours, the military is not perfect, but it is a highly functioning meritocracy. As such, it provides young people with a path to success in a society where it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve upward mobility.
Military service also inculcates values that make young people better citizens and employees. Veterans vote more than their peers and contribute more community volunteerism than non-veterans. On average 95 hours a year and he 74 hours.
Veterans are also attractive to employers. Companies appreciate that candidates who have completed military service are more selfless, more capable of leading others, and more self-disciplined.
For many young Americans, student loan debt is a burden. However, those who serve in the military are usually able to escape college loans and have more freedom to pursue their chosen path. Both while in and after the military.
The Navy also fell short of its recruitment goals. File: US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Rafael Peralta arrives in Sydney Harbor, Sydney, Australia, on July 10, 2021. (James D. Morgan/Getty Images)
Why is there a shortage of human resources? In addition to the factors already mentioned, part of the problem is that more and more Americans believe that going to college straight out of high school is the only path to success.
While parents, teachers and guidance counselors all direct 62% of high school seniors to college, there is a bias against other options, such as military service and “blue-collar” jobs. In addition to societal expectations, this move by school teachers and administrators is fueled by indicators that “grade” high schools based on the percentage of students who go on to college.
It doesn’t help that high school guidance counselors who provide career advice to students often don’t know enough about military opportunities. The qualifications required to become a guidance counselor emphasize skills in mental health disorders, behavioral problems, bullying, and substance abuse, and not awareness of alternative career opportunities.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINIONS NEWSLETTER
The little knowledge they have of their military career is often gained through popular culture such as movies and TV shows. Usually they get it wrong.
Countless stories about how the military gave young people opportunities go unreported. It was Javier Galván who was not. Born into a poor family, Galván had a difficult time in high school, until one day in class he happened to hear a pitch for a Marine recruiter and was intrigued.
To fix this situation, America needs to remind the public of its military and celebrate those who choose to serve. “Thank you for your hard work” is not enough. We need concrete demonstrations that recognize that military service is a noble pursuit and recognize that military service strengthens society by producing more resilient, successful and capable young men and women.
Teachers, counselors, and school administrators should invite veterans and military personnel to share with students how the military has helped them. And politicians, celebrities, and other influential people should talk about the virtues of service.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
And to those who raise their right hand and take the oath of service, it is important to publicly thank and recognize them for their choice. Young people are aware of how society treats people from different professions. Honoring high school seniors at graduation and related enlistment ceremonies can go a long way in changing the way Americans view military service.
The US military’s difficulty in recruiting volunteers poses a danger to our national security. But it also means that tens of thousands of young people are missing out on life-changing opportunities. Together we must turn this trend around. Otherwise America will be even worse.
Click here to read more by THOMAS W. SPOEHR
Dr. Ken Hartman is the founder and chairman of Our Country Salutes, a non-profit organization that honors high school students planning to join the military right out of high school.
