The US military is facing a crisis of recruitment, with projections showing that it will fall short of its target of 65,000 new soldiers by 15,000 in 2023. This shortfall is echoed in the Navy and Air Force, expecting to miss their enrollment goals by 10,000 and 10% respectively. One of the main contributing factors to this dire situation is the failure to attract Generation Z, with only 9% of Americans aged 16 to 21 considering joining the military.
This is a stark decline from pre-pandemic levels and highlights the profound disconnect between the military and this new generation. A closer look at Gen Z’s attitude towards the military can be found in the flood of TikTok videos posted by service members, which reveal a deep resentment and dissatisfaction with military life.
US Army Major “Rachel” Jones on diversity in the military ???? ????
God help us. pic.twitter.com/kexqtzggwg
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) July 1, 2023
These videos have been described as a “TikTok mutiny,” as young soldiers use the platform to air their grievances about the realities of military life. Complaints about long hours, low pay, unappealing food, and overbearing leadership are common themes in these videos. This lack of morale and enthusiasm for military life is a cause for concern and demands further investigation into the underlying issues that have led to such a drastic drop in recruitment numbers.
@toogoofy.n but “free” school and healthcare right ? #miltok
Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the root cause of this collapse in morale is a deeper cultural rot that has permeated the military. Conservative writer Rich Lowry points to the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as a contributing factor to the military’s newfound focus on “soft skills” rather than combat training.
As Bishop Garrison, the former defense secretary’s senior adviser for human capital and diversity, equity, and inclusion, famously stated, DEI must be incorporated into every aspect of military decision-making. This shift has been reflected in the 2023 budget request for $115 million in DEI funding, a significant increase from the previous year.
@shemarwill 5 reasons to not join the military #fyp #fy #money #military #viral #virginia #navy #gonavy #parents #ticktock
Lowry rightly points out that our military should be focused on developing lethal and effective fighters, not on addressing microaggressions. He questions whether our fighter pilots will become better at aerial warfare by being taught about systemic racism.
He asks whether our submariners will be effective at their jobs if they are constantly worried about causing offense by asking about someone’s accent. These valid points highlight the absurdity of the military’s current priorities and the dangerous consequences they could have on our national security.
@_j.will if you broke … that should be against the law ???? #armyhumor #blackmiltok #fyp
The military used to be a place for warriors, where toughness, grit, and a deep understanding of what they were fighting for were paramount. It was a tough and demanding job, but those who joined the ranks did so knowing that they were contributing to something larger than themselves. However, with the push for political correctness and the constant focus on soft skills and microaggressions, the military