Unwilling to Serve: why the military services are struggling to get recruits
Global tensions are on the rise. China, Russia, Ukraine, Iran and North Korea pose new worries for US decision-makers. At the same time, the Pentagon is experiencing its worst manning situation in the 50-year history of the all-volunteer military. Mark Hyman spoke with some of those who are struggling to enlist today’s young men and women in tonight’s Inside Your World Investigates.
“As we compete with the lowest unemployment rate in a generation the Air Force will likely fall short of enlisted active duty recruiting goals by over 10%. The reserve and guard are projected to miss their goals by even higher margins," Kristyn Jones told Congress.
"[T]he Air Force will likely fall short of enlisted active duty recruiting goals by over 10%." Kristyn Jones
In Senate testimony earlier this year, Air Force Undersecretary Kristyn Jones echoed the warnings of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
Last year, the Army missed its recruiting goal by 15,000. The Navy and Air Force were each short more than 2,000. The Marine Corps just barely made its goal.
“We are in a war for talent.” Brigadier General John Cushing
Brigadier General John Cushing acknowledges recruiting has become very challenging. He is the deputy commanding general of Army Recruiting Command. But he is impressed with the men and women who are joining up.
“I think if you look at this generation, I think that they're smarter. They're more technologically advanced than our generation,” he told us. “And truth be told, that's exactly what we want in our services.”
Mark Melia agrees. He is the command master chief of the USS Carl M Levin (DDG-120), the Navy’s newest warship that was commissioned just weeks ago.
"[A] lot of our young sailors ... already have a degree." Navy Command Master Chief Mark Melia
“Now a lot of our young sailors are enlisting or coming in as an officer, or they already have a degree before they ever commission or join the Navy, enlist.”
Still, the services are struggling for enlistees. There may be several factors why military recruiting is coming up short. Poor health and fitness, lack of education, prior drug use, and criminal records disqualify 3 of 4 young adults aged 17-24 unless they get a waiver, the services told Congress. In recent years, some enlistment standards have been loosened. The Navy will accept first-time enlistees up to their 42nd birthday.
For the Army, Cushing insists there are standards that still must be met.
We will not sacrifice our quality for quantity.” Brigadier General John Cushing
Covid lock-down policies hampered recruiting the last few years.
“We were unable to spend time in high schools, to talk to influencers, to talk to educators.”
Officials have also noticed the pool of likely recruits is getting smaller.
“80% of those that we enlist are from military backgrounds, have military families, and that's alarming to me.”
Compounding matters is the public’s unfamiliarity with the military. Army spokeswoman Madison Bonzo told Inside Your World “that 75% of 16- to 28-year-olds admit they know little or nothing about the Army.”
The Pentagon may also be feeling pressure as retention rates are starting to look shaky. A recent Navy survey of seven-and-a-half thousand of its officers found widespread dissatisfaction.
Seven in 10 junior officers believe promotions are not equitable in a career that had largely been defined as based on meritocracy. More than 80% believe the best talent is leaving the service. The Navy recently ordered its recruiters to work six days a week.
Adding to military woes is the loss of prestige. In a 2017 survey, 70% of respondents said they had “a great deal of trust and confidence in the military.” That fell to 45% last year.
Burdensome school loans have been making headlines, but the opportunity to earn a debt-free college education while getting paid is not attracting enough enlistees.
“Why are young adults not buying this?” Mark Hyman asked.
Cushing replied, “I think that we have failed in our duties and responsibilities of informing the generation of those types of opportunities.”
Today’s young adults, who comprise Generation Z, are disinterested in the long term. They live for the moment, Cushing told us.
“They’re not interested in what the retirement plan is. They want to know what the here and now is, what are they getting out of service right this second?”
There is criticism the services are out-of-touch with Gen Z. The last two Air Force chiefs of staff were featured in recruiting videos (here and here). There is skepticism that 18, 19, and 20-year olds will be inspired to enlist after watching generals in their late 50s reminisce about their 30-year careers.
Usually, the biggest influencers when counseling a young adult to join-up are parents, especially if either one is a veteran.
According to a survey of military families, a majority would recommend military life, but that percentage is trending downward. The percentage who would not recommend military service spiked by nearly half. This is troubling for the Pentagon.
The sense of patriotic duty, that drew millions to join-up for more than a century, has fallen dramatically. For two years running, Gallup polls found less than 40% of adults are “extremely proud” to be an American. Twenty years ago, the figure was 70%.
Army recruiters have witnessed society’s change in attitude toward public service.
“I think there is a lack of willingness to support and frankly serve our country,” said Cushing.
Melia believes military service opens doors to a world of opportunities if young adults would only give it a try. “All young people in my opinion, should experience a military service. Do one tour. [H]aving that experience is something that you carry that the rest of your life. That's awesome.”
"So we're probably looking at long term shortages.” Dr. Anthony Carnavale
Manning shortfalls will likely persist, according to Georgetown University’s Dr. Anthony Carnevale. He runs Georgetown’s Center on Employment and the Workforce.
Carnavale stated, “[W]e're moving into an era when there's going to be very limited growth in the number of workers available in America and there are going to be very high retirement rates at the same time. So we're probably looking at long term shortages.”
"What are your dreams and aspirations and ... let tell you how the Army can get [you] there." Brigadier General John Cushing
Yet, Cushing is optimistic that when given the opportunity, his recruiters can make a strong case the Army should be a first and not a last choice of employment. His pitch is simple. "What are your dreams and aspirations and what do you want to do in life? And let me tell you how the Army can get [you] there."
The Army, Navy and Air Force told Inside Your World they expect to miss this year’s recruiting goals. The Marine Corps declined to disclose its target numbers.
