America's Military Recruiting Crisis

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The US military faces a severe crisis in recruitment and readiness, with end strength at its lowest since the Vietnam War. This crisis stems from years of failed attempts to draw in more volunteer recruits, which have gone against the norm of recruitment increasing during tough economic times. Additionally, the military’s embrace of political ideology, diversity quotas, and questionable admission policies at institutions like West Point have eroded trust and confidence in the institution. This has negatively impacted military readiness, with units struggling to maintain operational training cycles due to low manpower, resulting in a reduced ability to respond effectively to global threats. Despite the decline in readiness, public respect for military personnel remains high, indicating a disconnect between public perception and the challenges faced by the military.

Will Thibeau, our guest, is a former Army Ranger and currently serves as the Director of the American Military Project at the Center for the American Way of Life.