Military recruiting crisis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP your summary doesn’t match the article.

Second, I’m a liberal whose father served in the Korean War in the Air Force. I took the ASVAB and did well. The only job they had for me was medic. This was in the late 80s during the draw down. I ended up not enlisting. The Gulf War happened 6 months later.

Why I am against my daughter enlisting. I work with many former military. It doesn’t seem like a welcoming place for women. The sexual assault numbers are terrible and it’s a hostile environment for women. I also one who associates the military with the Insurrection (as the article mentioned) and the 3%, Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers. I see it as a proxy for the White Supremacy/Neo Nazi movement…Especially when there is any sort of backlash toward DEI the military undertakes.

On the contrary I was a female officer in the military and they were far ahead of the private sector in women's equality, in my opinion. Now, I admit they have a problem with sexual assault among enlisted members. I know many women who have made it a career and earned much more than they would have as civilians.

[Anonymous]

The military (or government) needs to do a better of taking care of vets and giving them translatable skills to the workforce once they leave.

[Anonymous]

DW and I are both teachers. Our students, even most of those with military parents, don’t have an interest in the military unless they “have to because of no other options. Most of our students aren’t in that situation. Like the article says, they have plenty of other opportunities that are more appealing. The promise of a career path and trading in the military doesn’t trump the others. Look at the picture in the article. “Make me climb a wall and scream at me in my face? Sign me up!” says no 17 year old that we know.

The promise of a pension has definitely lost its luster with the younger generation. We see it in teaching. New teachers don’t see themselves on the career for 30+ years and it’s probably the same with whatever length the military requires. They want the money earlier rather than later. They don’t think long-term as much. I’ve heard the Fairfax County School Board has chattered about making changes to the pension plan so that more $ can be netted by the newer teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DW and I are both teachers. Our students, even most of those with military parents, don’t have an interest in the military unless they “have to because of no other options. Most of our students aren’t in that situation. Like the article says, they have plenty of other opportunities that are more appealing. The promise of a career path and trading in the military doesn’t trump the others. Look at the picture in the article. “Make me climb a wall and scream at me in my face? Sign me up!” says no 17 year old that we know.

The promise of a pension has definitely lost its luster with the younger generation. We see it in teaching. New teachers don’t see themselves on the career for 30+ years and it’s probably the same with whatever length the military requires. They want the money earlier rather than later. They don’t think long-term as much. I’ve heard the Fairfax County School Board has chattered about making changes to the pension plan so that more $ can be netted by the newer teachers.

20 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The military (or government) needs to do a better of taking care of vets and giving them translatable skills to the workforce once they leave.

And better incentives in general.

Free healthcare? Well, isn't everyone always screaming that EVERYONE in the US should get free healthcare?
GI Bill? While our commander in chief wants student loans forgiven?
VA loan for home purchases? While multiple programs exist for all first time buyers/low income buyers?

What benefits are there to a military career that make it worth being separated from your family for months at a time--including holidays, anniversaries, the births of your children, graduations, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DW and I are both teachers. Our students, even most of those with military parents, don’t have an interest in the military unless they “have to because of no other options. Most of our students aren’t in that situation. Like the article says, they have plenty of other opportunities that are more appealing. The promise of a career path and trading in the military doesn’t trump the others. Look at the picture in the article. “Make me climb a wall and scream at me in my face? Sign me up!” says no 17 year old that we know.

The promise of a pension has definitely lost its luster with the younger generation. We see it in teaching. New teachers don’t see themselves on the career for 30+ years and it’s probably the same with whatever length the military requires. They want the money earlier rather than later. They don’t think long-term as much. I’ve heard the Fairfax County School Board has chattered about making changes to the pension plan so that more $ can be netted by the newer teachers.

20 years.

Thanks. I was thinking 20 but wasn’t sure if that had been adjusted recently.

[Anonymous]

Are the academies as competitive to get into as ever?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP your summary doesn’t match the article.

Second, I’m a liberal whose father served in the Korean War in the Air Force. I took the ASVAB and did well. The only job they had for me was medic. This was in the late 80s during the draw down. I ended up not enlisting. The Gulf War happened 6 months later.

Why I am against my daughter enlisting. I work with many former military. It doesn’t seem like a welcoming place for women. The sexual assault numbers are terrible and it’s a hostile environment for women. I also one who associates the military with the Insurrection (as the article mentioned) and the 3%, Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers. I see it as a proxy for the White Supremacy/Neo Nazi movement…Especially when there is any sort of backlash toward DEI the military undertakes.

On the contrary I was a female officer in the military and they were far ahead of the private sector in women's equality, in my opinion. Now, I admit they have a problem with sexual assault among enlisted members. I know many women who have made it a career and earned much more than they would have as civilians.

Sexual assault isn't just a problem among enlisted members. It's not just because of alcohol. Female and male officers can be sexually assaulted, too.

I don't think it's still true that women will have better experiences in the military than in the civilian sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DW and I are both teachers. Our students, even most of those with military parents, don’t have an interest in the military unless they “have to because of no other options. Most of our students aren’t in that situation. Like the article says, they have plenty of other opportunities that are more appealing. The promise of a career path and trading in the military doesn’t trump the others. Look at the picture in the article. “Make me climb a wall and scream at me in my face? Sign me up!” says no 17 year old that we know.

The promise of a pension has definitely lost its luster with the younger generation. We see it in teaching. New teachers don’t see themselves on the career for 30+ years and it’s probably the same with whatever length the military requires. They want the money earlier rather than later. They don’t think long-term as much. I’ve heard the Fairfax County School Board has chattered about making changes to the pension plan so that more $ can be netted by the newer teachers.

20 years.

Union busters have always wanted more money to go the newer employees. However, the problem with that model, is that you will ALWAYS have to pay top dollar for newer employees coming in every 5 years or so. It's not sustainable. No organization wants to pay top dollar for people with no experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the academies as competitive to get into as ever?

From what I have heard, applications are down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DW and I are both teachers. Our students, even most of those with military parents, don’t have an interest in the military unless they “have to because of no other options. Most of our students aren’t in that situation. Like the article says, they have plenty of other opportunities that are more appealing. The promise of a career path and trading in the military doesn’t trump the others. Look at the picture in the article. “Make me climb a wall and scream at me in my face? Sign me up!” says no 17 year old that we know.

The promise of a pension has definitely lost its luster with the younger generation. We see it in teaching. New teachers don’t see themselves on the career for 30+ years and it’s probably the same with whatever length the military requires. They want the money earlier rather than later. They don’t think long-term as much. I’ve heard the Fairfax County School Board has chattered about making changes to the pension plan so that more $ can be netted by the newer teachers.

20 years.

Union busters have always wanted more money to go the newer employees. However, the problem with that model, is that you will ALWAYS have to pay top dollar for newer employees coming in every 5 years or so. It's not sustainable. No organization wants to pay top dollar for people with no experience.

what does that have to do with the post you quoted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the academies as competitive to get into as ever?

From what I have heard, applications are down.

Do they haze?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the academies as competitive to get into as ever?

From what I have heard, applications are down.

Do they haze?

I wouldn't know. I'm sure the official answer is no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The military (or government) needs to do a better of taking care of vets and giving them translatable skills to the workforce once they leave.

So much bloat, like all of government these days. Our veterans get practically nothing.

[Anonymous]

This has nothing to do with Trump, much as I'd like to blame him for all ills.

Most developed nations with highly educated populations have seen a decrease in the wish to serve militarily, just because people these days don't take kindly to being ordered about for no good reason: western populations are highly individualistic, know full well that military leadership doesn't have their individual interests at heart (they operate for the nation's defense, which is VERY different), and hardly anyone is prepared to die for their country. Usually it's lower-income groups who are attracted by such positions, merely as a way to find careers and financial independence.

You'd better hope this trend will continue - it goes hand-in-hand with greater prosperity!