This is timely. I saw an article saying the US Navy was tying up to piers some 17 support ships, due to lack of manning.
Interesting that Vox had a similar article. (https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/368528/us-military-army-navy-recruit-numbers. Future Perfect America isn’t ready for another war — because it doesn’t have the troops: The US military’s recruiting crisis, explained., by Gil Barndollar and Matthew C. Mai, Sep 1, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT)
Both articles seem to skirt the issue which some of us might name .Woke". I hear that serving or retired members are telling thei children or bear relatives that it’s not a desirable work environment. And, as a sign of this, per my understanding, DoD recruiting has shifted focus to areas with less of a Caucasian recruiting pool. Yet, data suggests Black representation disproportionately high, especial in higher enlisted ranks. (See Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/demographics-us-military)
I don't wish to prejudge this, but a review of DEI in DoD might be in order. Esprit does corps is important in the military. If ANY group thought it wasn't a level playing field it would hurt retention and recruiting. I want to bite my tongue, but we need another study.
An additional issue, perhaps from my imagination, is that our public schools are failing us. Public School students are less healthy, not doing as well as earlier generations in academics, and not getting the civics lessons they need to know and love this Country. Justice Neil Gorsuch touches on this last item in his new book, "Over Ruled". It is also covered by Editors Chris Sinacola and Jamie Gass in "Restoring the City on a Hill: U.S. History and Civics in America’s Schools".
This is timely. I saw an article saying the US Navy was tying up to piers some 17 support ships, due to lack of manning.
Interesting that Vox had a similar article. (https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/368528/us-military-army-navy-recruit-numbers. Future Perfect America isn’t ready for another war — because it doesn’t have the troops: The US military’s recruiting crisis, explained., by Gil Barndollar and Matthew C. Mai, Sep 1, 2024, 8:00 AM EDT)
Both articles seem to skirt the issue which some of us might name .Woke". I hear that serving or retired members are telling thei children or bear relatives that it’s not a desirable work environment. And, as a sign of this, per my understanding, DoD recruiting has shifted focus to areas with less of a Caucasian recruiting pool. Yet, data suggests Black representation disproportionately high, especial in higher enlisted ranks. (See Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/demographics-us-military)
I don't wish to prejudge this, but a review of DEI in DoD might be in order. Esprit does corps is important in the military. If ANY group thought it wasn't a level playing field it would hurt retention and recruiting. I want to bite my tongue, but we need another study.
An additional issue, perhaps from my imagination, is that our public schools are failing us. Public School students are less healthy, not doing as well as earlier generations in academics, and not getting the civics lessons they need to know and love this Country. Justice Neil Gorsuch touches on this last item in his new book, "Over Ruled". It is also covered by Editors Chris Sinacola and Jamie Gass in "Restoring the City on a Hill: U.S. History and Civics in America’s Schools".
Regards — Cliff