troyfrd1 Loc: Hampstead,NC

Has anyone notice our Military is struggling to get people to join? As a former recruiter I think the problem starts from the top. Take a look at our government. Fighting among each other. Our Military is stretched thin.All the deployments know and unknown has taken a toll on our service men and women. That also includes the family. The pay is not so great honestly. True the benefits are good but you have to fight for them. I am by no means complaining. We have people deciding what to give us for a raise that doesn’t have any idea what we do or go through. Yet they can automatically v**e themselves a raise of 50%. No matter what side left or right. No one will v**e no to that. We are helping other countries before we take care of our own. Our elderly is suffering and can’t pay for medical supplies. Some countries have free medical. If America is one of the wealthiest country then why can’t we have that or something close to it. Taxes are outrageous. Yet Social Security is about to run out and people working everyday and paying taxes. This has been going on for years. So it’s not the current administration. They gave us stimulus checks but took it right back.Again I am not complaining but something just isn’t right. Each of our elected officials make over 100K a year but what have they done for us? Ok I am done.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Goodwood point Troy. Only ones they've done anything for is themselves

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

I really believe that we all in agreement with you. Hear a lot of complaints about the current administration but this has been going on for years.

Blackdog Loc: Round Rock, TX

There are a few things in play here, at least that I can think of.

First, The younger generations tend to act as if they don't like something; then they show no respect for it. They openly disagree.
Second, The military is suffering internally, trying to comply with the ever-changing moral standards. This in itself gives a less-than-favorable image.
Third, a poor example set by the commander-in-chief only undermines the military.

IMHO of course

BD

1Oldboat42 Loc: Kearney, Nebraska

I didn't see this till a day late, and my only commitment has to do with Blackdog's comment,
"The military is suffering internally, trying to comply with the ever-changing moral standards." It's sad to say that the same thing is found in the boy scouts and the girl scouts. No, something isn't right!!

troyfrd1 Loc: Hampstead,NC

Ok I somewhat agree. Only meaning that it starts at the top. Yes my issues are it has been like this for years now. No one saw it coming. The higher ups will quickly put our service men and women out front but don’t protect them. Protecting them by making sure they have the equipment they need to win the battle. Then once they return they are not taken care of. While serving I made sure members under me had everything they needed. On duty or off duty you are still a service member. The only way out of this is the draft. Once that is in place you will really have a problem. Trust me the Military is NOT for everyone. Then you want to force someone to join. That will not work. As stated you can blame this administration but this has been going on for years. Our leadership has done nothing period for our service members. Then all the wars going on. People are afraid to join. We do appreciate the 3.2 raise but what is that for what we actually do. Then they turn around and v**e THEMSELVES a higher percentage. Most have never served and has not been on the front lines but calls the shots. They don’t listen to members who have served. Then some members who has served forget about us. It’s like owning a company. You own the business but you are only as strong as the people under you. You can get rid of anyone who doesn’t agree with you. After while you will run out of people. Once a member has been through a crisis most of the time it’s over for them. Things change sure but after 34 years I would say it did not change for the better.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

No, Troy, it’s not just you noticing the issues with the military. Most certainly, leadership does not lead by example, from the CINC, to the Joint Chiefs, to senior leaders. They have turned away from training and mentoring the troops and are now more looking out for themselves.
Pay has always been a concern, by how can any member of Congress or the White House accept that many in the lower grades have to rely on food stamps to get through the month. We lived month-to-month for 3/4 of a 21 year career. At one time, under the Graham-Rodman act, we actually lost a month’s pay when pay was shifted from the last day of the month to the first day of the month. I kept all of my LES’s and can prove that fact. One less LES than months served.
Until the leaders of the country actually respect the values that the military brings to the table, it will not change. The military is an easy pawn.
Remember that war is the extension of diplomacy by other means.

troyfrd1 Loc: Hampstead,NC

Oh so true. I remember that act. I was in Germany. Yes we did lose a months pay. I served under Austin and he was fair. Great leader. I also served under Powell and he was awesome. The problem with that is no one would listen to them. Trust me Austin had no control when pulling the troops out of Afghanistan or Iraq. No involvement about leaving equipment behind. Congressional decision we never know about. Then what the people see is who is in charge of that department. The head of a department is only an advisor. Just like the President. No matter who is in office he/she has to go through Congress. He has power but not total power. We the people have that power. It’s a matter of v****g. I feel if you don’t v**e for wh**ever reason then be quiet. You want to change then v**e. Like the rest they tell lies and make it look good then like the rest fill their pockets

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

As I’ve grown older, I tend to v**e against the incumbent. I don’t want folks getting too comfortable and forget why they were elected to office. I’m not 100% on that, but getting closer with each e******n.

Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin

Personal opinion here, I think it has to do with the young people that would be the signing up age were raised without much discipline. Can't see them signing up for at least 4 years of forced discipline!

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

1) I don't believe that anyone should be eligible to be commander-in-chief unless he's actually served.
2) We don't treat veterans well enough. Too many scandals coming out of VA hospitals, for instance.
3) Veterans day should be a legal federal holiday with only veterans being eligible for a paid day off from work.
4) GI's are woefully underpaid!
5) The main reason for recruiting difficulty is that todays young people are so ENTITLED! They think that they have an absolute right to wh**ever they want, without having to give anything for it.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Just my 2 cents worth.
IF a starting job flipping burgers and pulling fries is paying $14 an hour, how much is our military getting paid?
At up to 12-16 hours a day not in combat with up to 24 hours a day when deployed. I counted the duty watch schedule for the 12-16 hours. I fully believe it is not that good, and the Elected Officials don't care. IMO
Maybe they will when no one wants to join.

Fishing Fool Loc: redding, ca

Our kids are taught at many schools that the military is not good. I think all 18 year olds shold be required to spend 2 years in the military and perhaps learn what our country is all about!!

Rheatown Loc: Greeneville tn

My oldest son wanted to go to West Point and changed was going to the Air Force academy then when they started mandating the shots that seem to still be causing problems and seeing the news with the other problems they were having the withdrawal from Afghanistan marching around with rainbow f**gs and some of the other nonsense that was going on he just went and got a local job started at 21 an hour until he figures out what he wants to do

troyfrd1 Loc: Hampstead,NC

I agree 100% no discipline at home. Nobody tells them what to do.