Why Is Gen Z Rejecting the U.S. Military?

The U.S. military faced a historic recruitment crisis in 2022, failing to meet goals for enlisting new soldiers by a wide margin. Why are so many young people saying no to military service?
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**Is the U.S. military facing a recruitment crisis?
All branches of the U.S. military except for the Marine Corps failed to meet their recruiting goals for new soldiers in 2022, with the Army having the biggest shortfall (they missed their target by 15,000). This is reported to be the worst recruiting crisis since 1973, the height of the Vietnam War.
**Why is Gen Z rejecting the U.S. military?
More than 20% of people between the ages of 18 - 25 failed to meet eligibility requirements, and only 9% of people in this age group even report interest in joining the military. Most experts agree that the crisis is caused by competition from other jobs that offer good pay and benefits, and Gen Z’s lack of trust in the military as an institution. Much of that lack of trust is caused by greater access to information about sexual assault, racism, homophobia, and a growing lack of interest in the military lifestyle.
**How does the U.S. military recruit new enlists?
For most of U.S. history, the military has relied on mandatory conscription (aka, the “draft”) every time there has been a major war. But youth protests against the Draft reached a peak during the Vietnam War, leading to the end of the draft in 1973. Since then, the military has relied upon an all-voluntary force - forcing them to increase recruiting efforts. Since the 1970s, the military has increased its spending each year on ads and recruiters. Many of these recruiters visit high school and college campuses. More recently, the military has focused its marketing efforts on social media influencers and e-games to reach more young people.
**What is the JROTC?
The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) calls itself a “character development and citizenship program for youth,” not a military recruiter. The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized JROTC programs at public and private educational institutions. In 1964, Congress expanded the program to all military services and changed from active duty to shared support from the services and schools. But the JROTC creates a direct pipeline for enlistment, and their programs are especially prevalent in low-income school districts that serve students of color - and recent reports show that students are often enlisted in JROTC without their express consent.
SELECTED SOURCES
Army misses recruiting goal by 15,000 soldiers (Army Times, Oct. 2022)
www.armytimes.com/news/your-a...
Fall 2021 Propensity Update (U.S. Department of Defense)
jamrs.defense.gov/Portals/20/...
Military Esports: How Gaming Is Changing Recruitment & Morale (U.S. Department of Defense, Dec. 2022)
www.defense.gov/News/Feature-...
How 2020 is Impacting Gen Z's Worldview (Morning Consult, June 2020)
morningconsult.com/form/gen-z...
Demographics of the U.S. Military (Council on Foreign Relations, Jul. 2020)
www.cfr.org/backgrounder/demo...
Thousands of Teens Are Being Pushed Into Military’s Junior R.O.T.C. (New York Times, Dec. 2022)
www.nytimes.com/2022/12/11/us...
Military Recruitment Provisions Under the No Child Left Behind Act: A Legal Analysis (Congressional Research Service, Jan. 2009)
digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/...
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (United Nations, May 2020)
www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-...
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:59 - History of military recruiting in the U.S.
01:58 - U.S. military recruiting tactics today
03:00 - Why Gen Z is rejecting the U.S. military
04:13 - Racism within U.S. military
05:00 - What is the JROTC?
06:24 - Benefits of joining the military
07:17 - Ethics of recruiting minors into the military
07:25 - No Child Left Behind Act and student data collection
07:35 - UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
09:18 - Alternatives to military service
10:10 - U.S. military recruitment goals 2023
#military #militarylife #recruiting

[@AboveTheNoise]

What do you think about the U.S. military’s recruiting tactics, especially for high school students? Let us know in the comments below!

[@joshuaphillips755]

It's predatory AF. The American Dream is a lie. They suck at taking care of people who you'd think would be a priority. They lie about what you're fighting for: it's ALWAYS American business interests. THEY LIE. THEY LIE. THEY LIE.

[@williamkinkade2538]

Better pay! And pay for all of college!!

[@Conservatismfailedus]

They would have more people willing to fight for this country if they dropped weed from schedule 1 to schedule nothing.

[@bobsterclause342]

They went woke It is quite simple getting woke will destroy you

[@Ziton98]

I had Brain Cancer. And the won't let me get past the requirement office. I've tried 3 times now. I know I'm only 4'11 with scare tissue on my lungs. But for christ sakes let me serve my country.

[@aprildawnsunshine4326]

It's almost like Gen Z wants our military to behave better out in the world and treat it's members better when they get home. Shocking ain't it?

[@AboveTheNoise]

Right!

[@Zoara0110]

That’s what it is, unfortunately my generation can’t go a day w out being babied , we know wha we want but alot of em are unrealistic

[@nicholaslewis9338]

Um it would help if the media didn’t base the military and only showed the negatives. I never saw all the good things the military did in Iraq or Afghanistan on the news. Even though I lived them. Its ok though cause that’s not the media’s agenda.

[@wolfie8366]

​@nicholas lewis Sorry, but that's not the job of a journalist they aren't state made propaganda agency's to suck the Pentagon off.

[@LB-uo7xy]

Soooo why don't you tell us about all the good things the US military did while you were there then? Even better since it comes from an eyewitness account.

[@johnforrester-ru9qr]

Don't die for a country that doesn't care about you.

[@joemontes4658]

America doesn’t fight for freedom like we used too. If I knew there was people trapped in deaths camps I would serve and get them out. I’m not dying for drugs and oil

[@XX89948]

Yep, let someone else die for that. Great patriot John!

[@Craig-pm2kc]

@Manuel Quispe Can you tell me how the war in Iraq or Afghanistan helped the American people?

[@dulguunjargal1199]

​@@Craig-pm2kcIt helped the rich ones

[@jayjyuri8796]

@@XX89948 let someone else die tbh

[@Mothman1992]

I realized when I was 16 that the rich schools didn't have military recruiters. They had college recruiters. I saw that there was a class that died in wars and a class that profited from them. I wanted no part in it

[@muddyriverdogz]

There is no free market when a private central bank is controlling your currency ! The millitary is for protecting US dollar global hegemony and corporate interest. Your basically fighting for slavery including your own in the US millitary !

[@garycamara9955]

Then you, by default, are profiting from them. I remember the draft. I remember the Vietnam war I am a veteran. Theres no war so whats their major malfunction? I think you should have to have served in the military to qualify to vote.

[@dingus6317]

I went to a STEM school in the DFW metroplex with $100.000 electron microscopes, we had recruiters too.

[@richard09able]

When I was growing up the rich schools gave their kids individual curves and groomed only for college, of course.

[@nicholasleon787]

Yea that’s complete bs ur lying

[@summerboyce4029]

Father served 3 tours in Vietnam. He had to use the freedom of information act to even prove he was there after his very public draft while he was in the hospital for a crash. After 15 years of fighting he finally got the benefits he was owed after serving. Listened to him and his surviving friends talk about how the US government called agent orange safe enough to eat. While he was having black objects removed from his skin every year due to his exposure. Not sure why I would avoid the military.

[@MarvelousLXVII]

I have a friend of mine who was a Marine in Vietnam. He has cancer from Agent Orange and suffers from extreme PTSD--especially from a battle he was in called Dai Do (look it up--brutal...) He had to prove to the VA that his boots were on the ground in Vietnam before they would do anything to help him regarding Agent Orange or PTSD. They made him jump through hoops he should never have had to jump through.

[@anthonyj5298]

everything is documented electronically now so it's much easier to get your benefits. Agent orange was a chemical to kill things....it doesn't take much thought. To be fair though we do things and put ourself at risk. It's in the values.

[@bradr637]

I think it's rediculous how we have that big of a budget yet many active duty soldiers are having trouble putting food on the table.

[@troyevitt2437]

Learn to spell "ridiculous".

[@Ziton98]

The majority of that budget is Military contracts. Like the $480million contract Microsoft got last year for a new HUD development for the Military. Yes a Call Of Duty style HUD. Mini map, weapon ammo count.

[@unkono]

War is a racket

[@johnrivers9393]

The army depends on new enlisted soldiers to maintain the force. Usually it’s High School students that fill those ranks. Active duty Soldiers that are newly enlisted are provided with access to mess halls for their meals where available at no cost. They are provided with billeting. They don’t pay utility bills while in barracks. Soldiers while in active duty can work toward a degree. With all available technology it makes getting that degree more attainable. There is always the possibility of having to deploy to a hazardous area, but knowing what the role of an army any army is to provide a kinetic solution to failed diplomatic actions.

[@troyevitt2437]

@@unkono And Nationalism/Patriotism is a delusion.

[@fuccbui]

Is this a question? Young people woke up and realized that you’re just a glorified pawn in the army. They will squeeze you dry and then spit you out. The sheer number of vets I’ve seen left by the wayside after their services who struggled with so many issues was astounding.

[@laulaja-7186]

On the other hand veterans have access to no end of free and discount services that the rest of the society can only dream of. GI Bill, Tricare, Space A Travel, USAA car insurance, VA Hospitals, Federal Hiring Preference, Commissary Access, pension for life retiring at age 38… And for that, people stop you on the street to say, “Thank you for your service to our country!” To misquote Bernie Sanders, America has socialism for the Defence Department, and rugged individualism for everybody else.

[@SuussyBakka]

I’ll join the military when people are treated like people and not pawns.

[@fernandorincon1847]

@@SuussyBakkayou’ll never join the military because you’re not qualified. There’s a difference

[@AJvsTheInternet]

@@fernandorincon1847Lmfao, cope.

[@Carmisci]

@@fernandorincon1847 keep malding and boot licking the government

[@jon6309]

I am a millennial born in the 90s. I was very close to joining the military after high school but my Mother talked me out of it. I currently work in banking and the director of my department is a veteran. There is a lot of trauma you can experience and the benefits are not worth it. Also there are many veterans who end up homeless and jobless after serving!

[@anthony26812]

if you end up homeless after serving it's your own fault, the VA loan gets you a house easily

[@anthonyj5298]

This is by choice. I have 2 houses from VA loans. I also got a job halfway through school after I retired because I was military.

[@Person0fColor]

😂 if you’re mom was able to talk you out of joining the military then you were never going to join in the first place 😂 Also more Vets are ripping the VA off than the other way around I’m a USMC Vet and know tons of doods who took the VA service related injury money afterwards. Vets get first in line at jobs, free housing way more than the average citizen has. You clearly have zero idea what you’re talking about

[@Person0fColor]

@@anthonyj5298I know so many people who literally sat on there asses all day on their phones and got out and got free college and free housing and these civilians are like “the juice ain’t worth the squeeze”

[@ryanimpink13]

You had a good mom. Fuck the US military.

[@BornotB-ij9xk]

"Imma keep it real with you US Military, I'm not fucking dying for an Oil company"

[@sdjslkdjlsskldjslkdjsl8262]

No, maybe not for an oil company, but you will for Israel when they draft you

[@mycatsballs8195]

@@sdjslkdjlsskldjslkdjsl8262I’ll have my Ali moment when they call my name

[@thefunnymofo7857]

​@@sdjslkdjlsskldjslkdjsl8262lol wont work nearly as well. Everyone is far too connected with social media.

[@LeandroTorres94]

We aint goin when that happens

[@Person0fColor]

Yea that’s why you didn’t join 😂

[@Solitas777]

I love our country, but who wants to fight to defend a corrupt plutocracy?

[@joeswanson733]

no one

[@lukesmith8896]

@@joeswanson733 Way, way, way too many people!

[@ak-488]

If Trump asked you help safeguard our republic would you say no, Its for the people and all you care about. Where would we be if we didn`t have that WW2 soldier or the Patriots that fought off the Redcoats. Take a good look at commie china and its threat which says we must always have a force they fear.

[@alanhobbs4498]

I would never serve under this president. Absolutely horrible.

[@careerfullonrapist3316]

​@@alanhobbs4498 you'd be serving Obama. Biden died in '16

[@stuffthings9618]

1. No one wants to die in war for political gain (Iraq) 2. There hasnt been a major war for decades so theres no need to enlist.

[@nolipoli430]

America is on the verge of war with China and Russia have u not been watching the news?

[@johnathanbryan5053]

No one wants to work 12-14hour days then get told their crippling back and knee injuries aren't service related

[@Person0fColor]

Who in the service is working 12-14 hours a day? 😂 like half of all military personnel are on their phones all day the other half are on their phones only half the day lolz. And don’t get me started on how many Vets I know ripping the VA off for a “service related injury” 😂 if you cat get rated by the VA then that’s your fault I know some many doors getting $1200-$1500 a month for their “injuries”

[@coldblizzard5880]

In simple terms: IT AINT WORTH IT. We’ve seen how they come back from it. But not only that, how they’re treated. Why tf would I give my life to people who don’t care? And for a government who doesn’t care. I’ve seen them around, veterans walking the streets in pure homelessness. And nobody helps either. Why would I put myself through that?

[@kelj4517]

It’s definitely worth it!

[@a_9408]

@@kelj4517yeah if your mission is to be homeless with PSTD.

[@governm3nt697]

You forgot to mention that we as kids saw us invade Iraq for frivolous reasons, and grew up seeing the results.

[@BlargeMan]

Hardly frivolous. Saddam did still have some old WMDs (chemical artillery shells) he hid out in the desert, and we know from captured documents he was planning to restart his WMD program as soon as the international pressure was off of him. We also know that he was at least starting to make contact with terrorist groups, mostly in the interest of anti-Israel activities, but that doesn't mean his existing or future WMDs couldn't fall into the hands of anti-American terrorists or that he wouldn't eventually point that gun at us. Plus, Israel was and is a major ally. Nevermind that the guy was a bloodthirsty tyrant who killed and tortured more of his people in his reign than we ever caused as collateral damage from OIF. And his sons would have been far worse. Can you imagine if he or his sons were in charge when the Arab Spring inevitably happened, even if it took a few more years?

[@bltcatwich]

⁠@@BlargeManwould be nice if they had just done this, but you forgot the part where they destabilized an entire area of the world for some oil

[@y.kazayaki3681]

​@@BlargeManthe people who served says otherwise.

[@itsseven3315]

@@BlargeMan North Korea has nukes and threatens to use them every month… why haven’t we gone to spread “democracy” there? Maybe because there’s no oil there for us to exploit.

[@Steven-xf8mz]

@@BlargeMan we need more of you to serve, we definitely need to have your entire family serving oversea, fight for what you believe in! don't worry, our tax dollar got your back!

[@magikclaw7458]

My grandfather served before Vietnam in West Germany. I know of only one time he cried, and that was on 9/11. When he found out I was thinking of joining, he begged me not to and got teary eyed. I heeded his advice.

[@EdwardEstacado]

He was a wise man

[@cultumsolis8086]

Coward

[@tajiSOG]

Wise man indeed.

[@Lizard11ify]

He was a wiseman and deserve my respect.

[@DanielGarcia-kw4ep]

He saved you from commiting horrible war crimes only to come back to live in the streets to be another of the 100k annual ODs in the USA

[@R-Estrella]

Yeah, I'm a gen z person. If the recruiters wanted to go to our high school, they had to sign a lot of paperwork just to go talk to us about joining. On top of that they also had to set a specific schedule (as to not disrupt our academic activities/learning). Also, they weren't allowed to wait/camp outside our campus anytime. We had the latest security system, cameras, and security guards as well. So, it was very much impossible for them to even go to our school to recruit us.😂 Anyways, that failed since I went to an arts/business school for high school. My reasoning for not joining is simple. The military will never help me achieve the goals I have for my music career.

[@kelj4517]

You made a mistake! You should have going the armed forces! It would have definitely boosted your music career

[@R-Estrella]

@@kelj4517 do you have anything to back that up? Just curious.

[@aphrodite7194]

​@@kelj4517My advice to the military, go draft the aliens. They got more advanced technology more intelligence than the entire military combined.

[@cashout8582]

The thing is they expect us to join the military but I don't see their kids joining the military

[@dramonmaster222]

Considering how many stories I have seen about this country failing it's Vets, I can't say I am surprised.

[@kelj4517]

I’m a veteran and I wish more of these young people would join the military! I’m 35 years old and retired!

[@Conservatismfailedus]

It's failing its youth too.

[@destroyerarmor2846]

​@@kelj4517 stop misleading them😢

[@jnasty6669]

@@kelj4517 lol nah I hate this country and want it to crumble

[@guidedexplosiveprojectileg9943]

​@@kelj4517 I don't wanna go into a random middle eastern country, for war ofcourse, I would go on my own accords

[@felixgijon8621]

Why?: A rich man's war, but a poor man's fight.

[@Basedlocation]

Not unless the poor fight against the rich

[@joebeta1837]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[@dtekiddo8400]

You don't have any clue about being poor

[@RealAndromeda01]

E-1 pay: $1773/mo My production job: $2720/mo

[@megamouthspike1930]

The 20-year occupation of Afghanistan that ended in disaster is going to keep military recruitment low, for a long time to come. The military is already reaching out to the "D.A.C.A. beneficiaries", offering "citizenship" to them and their undocumented immediate family members, in exchange for military service. Much of today's Active Duty military is made up of people who were illegally smuggled into the U.S. as children.

[@394pjo]

I'll defend my country with my life, but Im not dying for the Koch brothers or Bill Gates.

[@jackiehuff7736]

I went to school with a guy going on the gi bill. Government shut down, he got kicked from his classes. Also vets are treated horribly. In ohio, there was land set aside as investment for vets, and the state took it and sold it for cheap to land developers. Really screwed the vets over. No one did anything.

[@757Princess]

I was using the GI bill and we were still paid our housing allowance and school tuition. Not sure which shut down you’re talking about

[@miguelrodriguezcimino1674]

As a non US resident, the fact 9% of 18yo people show interest in joining the armed forces sounds like a sky high figure. In my country, when I was 18, some 20 years ago, I don't remember any of my friends or class mates even considering joining the armed forces one of their top 5 career options. And my country doesn't fights wars every other week like the US, here there is no chance you may actually get deployed in a combat zone. I think the only reason the US has anybody willing to enroll is to get a college scholarship, because tuitions are so expensive, so the armed forces are exploiting poor people. Here, public universities give good quality, tuition free education.

[@TheConfettiDress]

Which country? Sounds amazing!

[@miguelrodriguezcimino1674]

​​​@@TheConfettiDress Argentina. Most people here with a college degree (equivalent to a bachelor's degree in the US) are graduated from public universities. It's not entirely free, you still have to pay for books and supplies, and if you come from a small city or town you probably have to move to a large city for the duration of your studies, but it has no tuition. Also, back in my days classrooms did not have heating or AC, outside of the laboratories (but I think some improvements have been made in that direction in the last few years). There are private options, but the tuitions are not something a poor or even middle class family can afford. Also, the military has earned a really bad rep, after several coups (backed by the US I may add) and they cannot shake it off even if the last one ended 40 years ago, so that's another reason nobody enrolls.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for sharing this comparison with Argentina. I just watched "1985" - powerful to see the human rights atrocities that happened in Argentina (yes, backed by the U.S.) brought to a big, international audience (finally). I remember "The Official Story" which won the Oscar for best Foreign movie back in 1986, but younger folks have probably not heard much about that painful history. Interesting that Argentinian youth today have been influenced by that history to not support the military. Good evidence for the need to push for truth and restorative justice, rather than hiding our heads in the sand about the harms our governments cause.

[@sigsauer_firearms]

@@miguelrodriguezcimino1674 America is entire culture was born from fighting for freedom and being a warrior, and personal responsibility in finances/life, so making free college would go directly against american culture. Stick to your own country and stop sticking your nose in ours

[@garyjohnson8327]

Probably because they relied on security from the US

[@renaandou]

My dad was an artillery fire direction specialist. He served in Desert Storm, did peacekeeping in Bosnia, and was in the early days of Enduring Freedom when he got out. He suffers from Gulf War Syndrome with 7 concussions and the side effects of medicine the VA gave him that weakened his bones. Lately, he's been losing his memory, and he's only 52. I hate seeing him like that, and I wonder how many other veterans are like him. I hate everyone that has the power to stop it but lets this thing happen to not only my dad, but other who served.

[@thearnorianruby4681]

Damn...

[@greenghost5009]

Sorry to hear this bro, keep yo head up and keep going strong for the family

[@mikehascats26]

i was 13E cannon fire direction specialist. joined army 1987. got out 1991. i am very healthy so i am one of the lucky ones

[@ak-488]

Go visit the VA if you have one near, a vet will tell you flat out that he would do it all again, no cry babies cause your talking to a man who would give his life in battle so you can enjoy your damn freedom. Thank you dad for your service to America.

[@mikehascats26]

@@ak-488 not all vets would do it again. thousands of vets have serious emotional scars

[@juliovaldes1377]

I’m a Army vet.. what they don’t tell you is that the retention rate is also down by a lot and main reason for this is because the military ( most branches ) take soldiers for granted once you are in. They treat you like you are easily replaceable and do not respect your work/life balance what’s so ever. If you are lucky you might fall in a rare unit where there’s a higher up ( sgt major or a LT ) in your unit that isn’t totally toxic and might let you off in a reasonable time but those are hard to find. I use to wake up at 4:30 am be at first formation by 5:30 am and then work till 6 pm for the exact same amount of money every 2 weeks. It’s a shit way to live, the military is very toxic and do not appreciate their new soldiers and jr leaders, sooo they leave after their first contract. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@iDigress77times]

This is accurate y’all.

[@agarnetsadvocate3586]

Thank you. Nobody is actually addressing the real reasons, instead blaming other businesses with more "competitive benefits". No, not really, it's the deplorable QoL that nobody wants to join for and be forced to go through. That's literally one of the biggest reasons.

[@dragonf1092]

All soldiers around the world should throw down their weapons and tell the bankers and politicians to go fight their own wars.

[@Patrickstarrrrr69]

Oy vey!

[@Hanschen994]

As a younger person I have great respect for our vets, but I wouldn't sign up for the military because of mistreatment by people of higher ranks and politicians. I also am not willing to risk my life in wars I do not believe are moral which have become very common in US foreign policy.

[@iplayfoofee3547]

and yet the same people vote for the same ol politicians who wont help change or improve the military.

[@guidedexplosiveprojectileg9943]

Like which vets?

[@Overhaul-db6ln]

Lol idc I’m shipping

[@spacematt21]

alr then, imma get benefits while you still gonna have to pay HELLA taxes

[@lordbabycakes8736]

​@@Overhaul-db6lnoh shit you heading out to basic? Don't loose your annex b or you ain't getting that bonus

[@mouse6170]

As someone who is Gen Z and recently got out of the Army (my MOS is 19K) after completing my enlistment, I can say that you do provide many good points. However, the reason why the military is having a difficult time recruiting is because they are pushing people away who want to serve, by trying to recruit people who don't want to serve. For example, the "two moms" ad the Army had a couple of years ago pushed away those who wanted to serve, and it didn't really attract those who had no interest in serving in the first place. Another big issue the Army has is retention, people that join do not stay in (like myself). The reason why I got out was because of broken promises and leadership took no accountability for their actions (there are a lot more reasons but that would take a lot of time to explain). My unit promised that I could go to Air Assault, Airborne schools, and take college courses, but when I submitted the paperwork I was rejected every time. My leadership would not take accountability for their failures, they just used their lower enlisted personnel as a scape goat. To some of my leaders, we were nothing but cannon fodder to be used at the first sign of trouble. I don't regret serving because the experience has definitely benefited me in the long run.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and perspective. It aligns a lot with the ex-Marine we interviewed, Julian Valderrama. We didn’t end up including a lot of the complicated experiences he had - good and bad - but overall his experience was a lot like yours.

[@TheNujabes24]

Exactly why i left the marines, they promised all these schools, pay your college after 4 years multiple combat deployments myself and my guys never went to any of these schools, just denied.

[@tresfordays9644]

Toxic leadership seems to be the biggest reason all my Army friends got out after one contract. I had really good leadership at my first command in the Navy, which is probably a big reason I re-enlisted

[@FTWMFXD]

between the two moms ad and the president we got, that's what pushed me away. Not to mention they denied me on "medical history" which i got everything cleared. Funny thing is a week or so later they called back asking if i wanted to continue and try and get it, 5 years to late dipshits.

[@The-Shadow-Realm]

Alright, a Tanker! You’re right though. I got out of the Army a few years ago myself, and this is why I tell anyone to go to college first - and if they really want to serve in the military, go through ROTC or OCS. I always stress simply enlisting as a last resort because you’re right - basically anyone that’s below E-7 gets scapegoated and used left and right!

[@pepagaclap2504]

My grandfather was a WW2 vet and I remember when I was younger, I said that I wanted to join the military and he looked me right in the eyes and told me not to. Considering the shit he’s seen and done I’m gonna follow his advice

[@spicynoodles2742]

I still remember the video of a woman in her 18s, or 20s who joined the militia, and she and other colleagues were r*ped by a superior. Somehow her lawyers managed to lose the case 2 times before getting to court, and never got justice, the girl ended the video saying that nothing has changed in the military, they want more young people to join, while cases like these continue to happen and nobody does anything. Another comment I saw that was repeated a lot is how bad the leadership of the militia is, and how they humiliate the new recruits rather than teach them.

[@KingDeadMan]

Even though this video barely scrapes the surface of Gen Z not wanting to enlist, it paints a good picture of the experiences vets go through, and how uncovered information can influence mass decisions.

[@youtubestuff683]

As a Gen Z in the military I know I'm not re-uping. I've been lied to time and time again and have learned the military doesn't take care of its own even while serving. I have a permanent back injury do to a training accident years ago, which the military has deemed to not be a serious enough injury to receive an LOD do I could get the medical service I need for the remainder of my life. If people don't want to join or stay in I tell them not to. The military can't follow its values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Self sacrifice, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Often enough the higher up have little respect for these values towards the lower enlisted and its sickening to see. I told them last time they told me to re-up that if they want me doing that they need to fix themselves. I haven't been asked again.

[@kingnothing5678]

I'm brown and don't wanna fight for Ukrainians who hate us and use n@zi symbolism everywhere. Joe can fight this battle himself.

[@princessmarlena1359]

@@youtubestuff683 yep. My friend lost an eye due to shrapnel explosion and they wanted HIM to pay his medical bills. Never fight for a government that treats you that way.

[@megamouthspike1930]

The 20-year occupation of Afghanistan doesn't help. Gen Z grew up during that period of time, and they noticed the abject lack of progress in Afghanistan, year-after-year.

[@telesniper2]

Yeah that's my belief too. In these discussions, people always point to ideological reasons, which I don't think is it. Are they having a recruiting shortfall for officers? No? Ok, then the reason is people look at the raw deal they are offered in enlisting and are rightly turning it down, because the cat's out of the bag.

[@aliquidgaming1068]

It's that most people now are either a child of a member or vet or have family and or friends who are. Almost impossible not to know someone at least every other person who has someone they care for a good amount in the service. The problems vet face are more transparent and something more citizens actually are very aware of. The consequences of war and combat vets being more and more vocal about what war is really like and the demons they carry with them due to what they had to see, do, etc. There are many many reasons gen z isn't enlisting

[@AboveTheNoise]

This is so true - we only touched on three of the major reasons but there are many more - including the experiences vets are sharing.

[@8G00SE8]

Only 6.4% of the US population are veterans, it's more likely to be the opposite statistically, most people have no connection and no knowledge of how the military works outside of media. Edit to add: In 1980 it was 18% of the population, we are getting to a point where Gen Z is the most disconnected (from veterans and the military) generation we have seen in decades apart from what they consume on TikTok.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

But Recutment is up in areas with bases and vets... Like your resonale makes no sense in reality...

[@sumbuddy4088]

Quite the opposite. People with relatives who were in the military have a much higher chance of joining themselves.

[@osamabama3057]

​@@AboveTheNoisesomalia signed

[@juanrocollazo]

My dad was part of Desert Storm. He served almost two years before having to go back home because my uncle had died in an accident. He would ask me 15 years ago constantly if I was interested in enlisting and serving, but I always answered that I wasn't. He's now 55 and he's been feeling the repercussions of his service hard. He had cancer that he's now in remission for, and he has severe hearing loss in one ear, skin conditions and damage to the joints. His doctors at the Veterans' Hospital have explained that all of those conditions have been seen very frequently in other Gulf War veterans. It's really sad and it's a huge part of why I never wanted to serve unless extremely necessary.

[@DJGENOTYPE]

I served in the Army for 23 years then retired. I have received some benefits, such as retirement pension and even got my masters through the GI Bill. But if I had to do it all again, it would definitely be a no. I haver told all of my younger family members to only join if it was the absolute last option you had in life. My nephews wanted to join, but I talked them out of it. Now one does plumbing and makes some pretty good money. My other nephew has been driving trucks for the last 5 years now. And they make a lot more money than they ever would if they had entered the service. Military service comes at a huge price. There are a lot of mental health issues, and the military will wear your body down. Also, if you are a person of color, you can be treated differently.

[@CleverCover05]

I dunno, I see too many "Homeless Vet. Please help" signs to really think they're getting taken care of when they come home, if they come home.

[@tresfordays9644]

To be fair it’s mostly on them, there is the PTSD case and stuff like that, but for the most part it is they just get out with no plan and wonder why they are struggling and aren’t successful, the military gives you every tool you need to be successful

[@CleverCover05]

@@tresfordays9644 For a country that stresses having the biggest and strongest military, even if one falls through the cracks, there should be a response to pick that lost soldier back up. Potentially mentally and physically destroying yourself for your nation deserves more than a shrug if you can't immediately transition back to civilian life.

[@tresfordays9644]

@@CleverCover05 they give you opportunity to set you self up for success after service, you can go to school while your in, get certified with certificates in several areas related to your job that put you ahead in the civilian sector, you can go to school for free when you get out with a housing allowance, they give you taps class when you are getting out which is a class specifically designed to help you transition to being a civilian again, they give you time off in your last couple months to seek job opportunities in the civilian world, if someone decides to get out without a plan or some kind of support system then that’s on them. They are adults, they made that choice, it’s not justifiable to spend the resources on people outside of the military when current service members need it more, they decided to get out and do nothing with their life to be successful outside of the military, despite having the opportunities to do otherwise. Now you can make a separate argument for wounded service members or service member suffering from PTSD or other diagnoses or something like that due to service. And I would 100% percent agree with you on the fact there needs to be more done for those members post service. But the average joe who just decided to get out with out a plan made his choice

[@mediawarrior5957]

@@tresfordays9644 uh...no. The military literally throws you away once you are no longer useful.

[@lv1543]

@@mediawarrior5957 >what is the va

[@eleazg1]

Outside of toxic leadership, I'd say is an structural problem of the U.S as a whole. Having to join the military just because you want free school and healthcare is not good. These services should already be easily accessible to everyone in the country, not a plus because of forcing yourself to join the military. Enlisting should be done out of love and genuine interest to increase retention rate and bring more people in.

[@fakedungeonmaster5740]

suppose the united states did have affordable healthcare and education, what benefits should the military offer?

[@themaninabucket8365]

@@fakedungeonmaster5740Quality pay? Good work environment with actually competent leadership?

[@alondrapohaku]

@@themaninabucket8365well the education system needs that too so idk why we expect it from the military. sounds more like a legislative problem.

[@JackSparrow-lx2wd]

I like the free education but remember places like Canada and the U.K. have insanely high wait times for appointments and higher taxes because of free healthcare

[@alondrapohaku]

@@JackSparrow-lx2wd yes the wait times are horrible. i was living in new zealand and when i strained my back and couldn’t work, all they gave me was over the counter meds and i had to wait 12 hours just to be seen

[@lilj9278]

Im active duty right now and I hate it. We get treated so wrong and its so toxic. They DO NOT care for you at all. My depression has risen significantly since I joined and my body is banged up before this I was healthy but that’s the army for

[@genxlife]

I'm a GenX, and I've been rejecting the military for decades.

[@BadMannerKorea]

You look like you're 50, and your KZbin bio says you dropped of college in 1992.

[@lune587]

One massive point you missed is what the military actually does. It hardly engages in defending the Uunited States, but instead focuses most of its efforts abroad. This is almost never for a good reason too. We've used it to overthrow democratically elected leaders all over the world and replace them with fascist dictators who are friendly to U.S. interests, like Pinochet. They also routinely commit war crimes, like drone strikes targeting civilians, even U.S. citizens. And then we use it to stop foreign economies from growing, particularly leftist countries like Cuba with a blockade to enforce an embargo which is considered illegal and immoral worldwide. And on the topic of Cuba, the U.S. military also illegally occupies Guantanamo Bay, which has a torture camp where many inmates haven't even been charged with crimes.

[@lukesmith8896]

Precisely! This is why I'm an ML.

[@FateBringsMe2U]

I feel like that point is too broad for most people. I think the truth being let out on social media of how shitty day to day life is in the military is the real core of why recruitment is taking such a hit. Why get screamed at by some dude who can barely write but joined before you did when you can go work somewhere you can quit anytime?

[@branonlamphere9624]

The military needs to focus more on Domestic threats. Our government has been infiltrated by Nazis and Fascists. They must be purged and our society must be made free of racism etc.

[@conquistadorrocket]

@@FateBringsMe2U not too broad. gen z is very idealistic and people definitely do not support the military or law enforcement on principle.

[@kayzeaza]

Wtf you talking about? Look at all the US troops stationed in NATO countries! Or Japan and South Korea! That’s hundreds of thousands service members helping to defend allies.

[@Crynope]

My dad (Marine Vet) tells me "Don't join the military" soo I just listen to him.

[@kelj4517]

Just because your dad says something doesn’t mean it’s right! I’m a military veteran! I have free health care, educational benefits and I receive life time VA benefits!

[@liquidsnake4943]

@@kelj4517 shut up fed

[@peachesfry4509]

Good for you brother.

[@Boo-qg9fj]

@@kelj4517 how much are you getting paid to say this? Lol

[@kelj4517]

@ Boo No one is paying me! What I said was 100% accurate I get life time benefits.

[@Elizabeth-vp7ek]

My history teacher told us of the time they had a military recruitment at some event as a teen and they had a bouncy house and candy and said he could get both if he signs up. “Sure!” Ever since then they kept calling, emailing, finding ways to contact him to recruit him into the military 💀

[@woodside4life]

A bouncy house AND candy? Yeah they woulda got me.

[@Olivia-W]

I expressed mild interest years ago. I've been recieving recruitment emails ever since.

[@TorrentialSilver_47]

I like how you provided an unbiased, compact, and easy to understand way of this topic. I’ll make sure to check out the rest u guys do!

[@aka3927]

The way that veterans are treated in this country is reflecting of how we will be treated if we risk our lives for a corrupt government. We learned from the Vietnam vets. If being a veteran was honored and respected in this country then maybe they might get a couple million more troops

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

they lost wars.. they shoudlnt get respect

[@leichen8132]

@@juanshaftpatel7488 Damn go win war for us then

[@Lolamy]

maybe if military got the proper healthcare and shit they need there'd be more people joining..

[@JacksonDeeds]

@@juanshaftpatel7488and you’ve never won at anything in your entire life, therefore we should respect you even less.

[@andywalex]

But... One day a year you'll be able to get free chicken strips from Chilli's...

[@carlwinters8632]

Im a millennial not Gen Z, but the bottom line is Americans are tired of war.

[@thekirbycrafter7229]

*pointless wars our own governcrap caused

[@Basedlocation]

@@thekirbycrafter7229It won’t be a pointless war to kill the bourgeoisie

[@user-yy3sf1zt1s]

Tired of the smut culture too.

[@glenmull9735]

I just got out this year from the army, and a lot of what was covered in the video applies to the recruitment numbers right now. There are a lot of benefits to joining rn, such as the GI bill (which they have switched to a newer version for anyone born after a set period post 9/11, which in my opinion is a worse educational benefit). I am currently more set up than my peers after 4 years of service. However, what really is killing the military is retention. Retention, at least at my last duty station, was at an all time low, causing massive personal and tasking issues within units and deployment capabilities. This lead to more work getting piled on the lower enlisted and units themselves, causing everyone to be stressed out and overworked almost every day. And the Army culture expects you to like the severe punishment and question why few individuals want to stay. I thought I was going to be a careerist going in, and I changed my mind after my first duty station. For the pay and hassle, it simply isn’t worth it unless you really need a way to move up in life. Otherwise, there are better options available.

[@rogerd777]

My high school was in a well to do area and had JROTC, which I was part of. I went on to go to college where I enrolled in ROTC. A classmate in JROTC got an appointment to the Naval Academy. Some of the kids didn't go to college and joined the enlisted ranks.

[@vancarson440]

I’m part of Gen Z, I wanted to be in the Navy. My parents don’t want me going, and I don’t see myself fighting for a very selfish administration. When I find something to fight for then I’ll reconsider. Edit: seems like in my absence I might have caused a microscopic conflict.

[@marijeewana]

China & Russia trying to takeover? There are many things to fight for, your family, your future kids, who knows?

[@bluetickbeagles116]

Very wise. Go to college and use your brain bc your brain cells will die in the military. It breeds stupidity and there’s no room for critical thinking. It’s for the low of IQ.

[@ak-488]

You may never be in a battle but its not about dying for your country and its not about backing a corrupt Gov`t. Its in you to show you will do whats necessary to preserve our fragile freedom for your kids and future generations.

[@vancarson440]

@@ak-488 I can understand that, with that reference in mind I’m in the process of considering to join.

[@ak-488]

@@vancarson440 I would do 20, so many Navy vets will tell you its a super experience especially if you can get on a carrier. You are treated well.

[@DeeDaKaang1]

As someone who enlisted at 18.....The problem is times are changing & The Army is staying the same.

[@rickysampson8759]

What’s changing? You want to become a woman? The us military will gladly cut if off

[@mike-fc1bg]

Bull shit the drill Sargents can't even shark attack u anymore in my opinion the armyus getting softer to adapt to the snowflakes

[@mike-fc1bg]

Army*

[@mike-fc1bg]

I'm a little disappointed in the army bc of that but it's wtv just makes basic ever so Slightly more easy on me

[@CosmicAlien.]

@@mike-fc1bgtf is a shark attack

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

I would love to see Biden reinstate the draft for this generation. That would be a cirsus to watch. Canada and Mexico would be building border walls to keep the woke out. I know that draft feeling, 1969, might do this generation some good.

[@AdrianFahrenheitTepes]

Canada? Maybe. Mexico wouldn’t have much of a problem with people trying to run there. People feeling so entitled in wealth wouldn’t want to go to Mexico and give up what they had.

[@pops3288]

I served 6 yrs in the Air Force. Abandoned by my father, my mother worked 2 sometimes 3 jobs and struggled raising us (3 kids). I’m the oldest and enlisted after high school. I have earned 2 degrees through the GI Bill, owned businesses, was a working SAG-AFTRA actor, held down great jobs and currently work as an analyst for the largest beverage/food manufacturer in the world. My point is, the military can offer you the opportunity to advance and grow. It’s all in how you use it!

[@kingj6891]

Air Force is much better than the other branches

[@isleep396]

My cousin and I tried to join the Army after we graduated from high school together. I took the ASVAB at MEPS and got a 95/99 but then they told me I wouldn’t be able to join because the doctor at MEPS found in my medical records that I had eczema after I was 12 even though it’s gone now. My cousin got into the Army though and he’s doing well rn

[@lordaizen6815]

Yeah, I've read other stories where people were refused to serve due to prior health issues that no longer affects them. It related to the Military's Genesis program where they can find any records on a applicant's doctor visits.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

Yeah one cronic illness and your out.

[@ursulasmith6402]

That is defenetly a joke. Those people are NOT doctors, never were. They are civil service employees who go by a chart and records. Even the duck walk and other exercises are compared what the chart and their instructions say. The only medical staff MEPS has are civil service nurses. Their job is to keep people out of the military. You would have made it if there would have been real doctors there. Genesis is done because the greedy government doesn't want to spend the money on real doctors. Therefore, charts and instructions are used. Your cousin was very very lucky. So remember, it wasn't you. Please pass it on. Also, watch the truth channels, they will tell you.

[@militaryhatsguide8725]

@isleep396 did they give you the option to waiver?

[@doomguy.23frommars60]

​Ursula Smith thats very counter productive lol oh no recuit shortage... keep them outtt

[@TiagoTiagoT]

Going after people that are in a bad place for no fault of their own and baiting them into risking their health, and even their lives; is pretty scummy. This type of coercion is pretty much just slavery with extra steps.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@con2829]

This comment is clearly based on ignorance, giving someone a chance to pursue a more structured career is way better than a cluster f civilian world.

[@jaystrickland4151]

You should look up the definition of coercion before using. Coercion is defined as using force of the threat of force to compel the party to act in an involuntary manner. So unless the recruiter is beating up high school kids to make them join there was no coercion.

[@elkrumb9159]

Not every role is a combat role…

[@sigsauer_firearms]

someone clearly doesnt know what slavery is truly like

[@ksis86]

Ive grown up surrounded by military my entire life. I’ve literally only ever met two people who signed up because they WANTED to. Everyone else did it because they didnt think they had another choice. I work for the govt and i see how much money they waste… youd think theyd put more into the actual bodies that are sacrificing years of their lives.

[@bumbleeistheequeen4052]

I recently saw a video of Iraq War veterans who were documented in 2003 by the NYT and again this year to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the invasion. All I’m going to say is that video by it self is enough to make you reconsider joining the military. The reoccurring theme was you might leave the war but the war will never leave you.

[@DorifutoRabbit]

The best advert for the armed forces is looking after veterans

[@jonwwillis]

Agreed, the VA needs to step up their game...

[@thebestcentaur]

Well said

[@danbrown-pl6tc]

and, perhaps, stop creating new disabled vetrerans, daily

[@kingr1757]

They don’t want to join getting paid pennies, when politicians are getting paid 5x more than that and get to sit back/delegate

[@deepfried_stupidity]

five pennies

[@muddyriverdogz]

There is no free market when a private central bank is controlling your currency ! The millitary is for protecting US dollar global hegemony and corporate interest. Your basically fighting for slavery including your own in the US millitary !

[@BasedTexans]

I think my 7 yo son broke it down the best. He said he wanted to be a soldier because it's an all boys club and girls aren't allowed, I told him actually girls can join and he said " nevermind I don't want to be a soldier now."

[@thomaspaine7098]

You can tell which ads were made by men and which were made by women

[@belatoth1446]

People realize there is a big difference between fighting to defend your freedom and homeland and fighting to take someone else's freedom and homeland.

[@wheresmtnzx1115]

I passed the ASVAB test when i was in high school i decided i wanted to go to college and the enlist but when i graduated college they told me i had to retake the test, i never took it. Best decision of my life.

[@edwardcrow6385]

On another note. If you are a legal resident but not a US Citizen. They will bar you from actually doing any of the stuff that would land you in a career post military. While they can help you become a citizen, they will often prey on the fact that you don’t know the legal system or the extent of your contract

[@slashbashful6549]

idk where you got this, my friend was earning citizenship through the navy and was serving as a corpsman. obviously he wasn't a nurse the moment he was out, but it helped get his foot in the door when being considered for nursing school

[@thekirbycrafter7229]

​@@slashbashful6549anecdotal fallacies. Both of you made sound points, but it's been shown that youre more likely to be screwed than helped. Just because your experiences back one claim does not mean the other claim is invalidated. You need to find the (good) statistics.

[@SPENCER1SHOT]

​@@thekirbycrafter7229Not really. When I joined in 2016, most of whom that earned their citizenship were the 36b , Financial Management, which crazily at the time you didn't need a security clearance for. Most of them were actually Asian/Indian and were green card holders. A good friend shaw actually had a aeronautical engineering degree, and was going NG for citizenship. The limiting factor is The security clearance, as many Good jobs in the military require one, and it's pretty difficult to obtain one of your a immigrant. However there are still good jobs that don't require one.

[@ElJorro]

One of my favorite animated Gags is American Dad when son was expelled from school and an Army Recruiters knocks on his door saying 'We'll take him!" The Dad says "Stay Away from My Son you Vultures!" (or something) and slams the door in his face. He then cracks open again to say: "Thank you for your service" I think it reflects a lot of attitudes torwards the military.

[@HENSLEYMB]

I left the regular army in 1979. Even back then, the post Vietnam era, there was toxic leadership. Also, as today, most discipline problems are with the troops that less than two years of service and are in the 18-25 age group. Retention is just as important as recruitment. I was a 13B Field Artillery troop. Most 13Bs either reenlisted for a different MOS or got out at the end of their enlistment.

[@dirtydirtyshisno7284]

Considering they forced people to go fight to line rich peoples pockets back then I would say it was even worse than it is now, now they just lie to you your entire life to try to trick you into doing it instead

[@Floodking007]

Some recruiter tried to get me into the military back in my freshmen year of high school. I was not interested simply because there were better things that caught my interest. I already had friends and family who served and they were treated terribly and never got their benefits. Unlike many in my town I did not fall for the whole "the US military is shinning bright with opportunity and greatness". From my view it was miserable and depressing. I simply had no interest in putting my mental and physical health on the line for something that sees me as simply another sheep in the field. I have no problem with those who choose to enlist. It just isn't for me.

[@420vader]

Why die for a country that doesn’t care about us?

[@ArtiChan09]

I knew a guy in high school who was very set on joining the military after graduating high school. I’m not sure if he ever did or not, but I remember seeing the recruiters at both my high school, community college, and university. When I saw the recruiters at my university, I felt kinda bitter about it, because people shouldn’t have to lay their lives on the line for the sake of affording a higher education. But, I know some people feel like that’s their only option, so they sign up for the military in hopes of not having to take on student loan debt. It’s a very predatory tactic once you think about it. Problems with colleges, tuition, student loans, and higher education are a whole different beast to talk about, but that’s one of the main things I think about whenever I see ads for the military or see recruiters on campus.

[@Patrickstarrrrr69]

It's always been that way. Recruit young (often directionless) young men who don't understand how the world works yet

[@EverettBurger]

A few months ago, I had two members of the military in my classroom (guided by my principal). They were interested in volunteering in my classroom a couple times a week. I asked for their business cards and they were recruiters. I have no problem with volunteers in my classroom. But, they must be there to help the kids. So, I set two rules: 1. Must be in civilian clothes when in my classroom. 2. No recruiting in my classroom. They are only there to help with kids that are struggling with math. They never returned

[@dragonf1092]

Tell them to golf, foxtrot,tango.

[@motivationallizard6644]

I’m actually 16 and I was going to sign up for West Point my junior year. My entire family were military as far back as around WW1 and maybe even the Civil War. My dad was actually a marine in the Gulf war in 1991 along with my uncle so I had plenty of legacy and motivation to serve. I’m also infatuated with military history and have grades that more than meet west points requirements, along with already passing all of their fitness standards. However, my mother immediately shut down the idea of serving. She had heard about how many veterans struggled with mental issues and lack of support for veterans. She’d also heard horror stories from my dad who had served in one of the artillery batteries that shelled the “Highway of Death” in Iraq. She absolutely refused to even allow me to apply out of all this fear from what could happen; so know I’m studying to go to law school instead, and hopefully become a federal judge or senator. I likely could’ve been an effective officer, but all of the malpractice and lack of support for veterans is what turned me away and I honestly believe the same is true for most talented young people, so this isn’t just a crisis for enlistment it’s a crisis for effective leadership that will lead the military in the future.

[@damongraham1398]

I hope I do not insult your mother with this post. She is well with in her rights to be worried about her son. Service is thinking about others. Your mother was rightly thinking about you, her son. You as a person must make decisions for yourself. Also do not forget if you give the military 10 years you can spend the rest of your life to provide that effective leadership with first hand knowledge of those who also serve. Since this is the internet let me go completely insane. If you join and the second worse thing happens and your are injured and still in your right mind you can still provide effective leadership. If the worse thing happens I hope you leave a record of some kind to provide inspiration so other will make that sacrifice.

[@motivationallizard6644]

@@damongraham1398 your comment was by no means an insult, and I’d actually thank you for a constructive response. My decision to not join the military was mostly due to her insistence, but also my own personality. I’m extremely extroverted; to the point that I’ll often gather a crowd of people around me when I talk in public. My father, the gulf war vet, was in full support of my prospective military career but also warned me that my personality wouldn’t mix well with the culture of discipline required for an enlisted man let alone an officer. I have no doubt I could adjust if the situation deemed it necessary, but I know from my time in school and in public that I’ll likely succeed in whatever’s field I put my mind to, and that just so happens to be as a lawyer and politician, as I am still, and will always be patriotic for America. I hope that In my future career I’m able to fight against the current corruption and lackadaisical nature that plagues the government.

[@damongraham1398]

@@motivationallizard6644 So pretend I am a reporter asking the future politician "would you support whistle blower laws to protect people that have information about corruption wherever it may be found? I'm not understanding the "drawing a crowd" is a bad thing?

[@motivationallizard6644]

@@damongraham1398 it’s not a bad think, but I tend to speak my mind whenever asked, and if something seems inefficient or redundant I’ll call it out regardless of seniority or rank. I’ve been doing this since I was ten, to the point that my teachers would occasionally just let me teach my history classes because I knew the information better than they did. If I were to mouth off to a superior in the military of all places I seriously doubt it would go well for me, especially with how often I call even minor infractions out.

[@damongraham1398]

@@motivationallizard6644 are you saying that as a smart guy you would not know when to pick your battles?

[@willcra]

As a former Army Recruiter, schools aren't targeted based on class or status, they're targeted when recruiters are allowed to go to them. The schools in poorer communities tend to allow recruiters where schools in more wealthy communities tend to limit recruiters to their mandated two visits per year. Our goal was to visit as many schools as possible as often as possible, but it's up to the individual school on how often we can go and what we can do while we are there.

[@demikavato4275]

Can you see the draft returning for low recruitment ?🤦🏽‍♀️

[@willcra]

@@demikavato4275 Unless a large scale war kicks off (which would demand the drafts return regardless) there won't be a draft.

[@nolipoli430]

Lol. They come to lower classes more than the rich bc they were targeted. It's those lies that makes us not want to join 😂.

[@minfamous5841]

Lmao think you missed the point 😂😂🤣

[@willcra]

@@minfamous5841 I wasn't referring to the overall point of the video. This is in reference to a specific point made within the video.

[@kaorufan8]

JROTC is absolutely a recruitment tool. It may be a softer type of recruitment tool, but it's 100% a recruitment tool specifically for "disadvantaged" students. They funnel students into the program all the time

[@jadenwatson7200]

Yep wanna make you into a better citizen that seems like a lie💀

[@Cy_an1d3]

I’m not dying for a country that constantly shows it’s lack of commitment to its citizens. The rights of my family are being taken away at an astounding rate, I will not support this country in any way.

[@northkoreanpropagandist7271]

Fellow Gen-Z'er here. The main reason why I don't want to join the military is that I don't want to wind up committing war crimes. I was shocked to find out that our military tends to commit war crimes almost on a daily basis. The Iraq war warped my viewpoint on how the US's rules of engagement is just the means of terrorizing the countries populace, that would eventually lead to a rise of an insurgency and subvert our morale, believing that we have come in as liberators. War is nothing but lies, unessesary loss of life, and profiteering.

[@northkoreanpropagandist7271]

And if anything, I ever get the draft off to a major conflict, I'll put a bullet in my head before I ever get the chance of getting drafted. Mark my words.

[@pat-orl]

lol

[@stanleysanders9099]

lol wtf

[@Basedlocation]

Don’t die for wall street Keep your legs

[@Olivia-W]

I mean, most likely you wouldn't even end up deployed, or deployed to Le Bore McBoringass. All the rest though, yeah it sucks.

[@maulwurf62]

The military helped me gain discipline and showed me Europe, where I learned different, more social and more peaceful ways of life. Now, at 60 years of age,I would never again set foot in the USA, which spends billions on planes and tanks and rockets to kill people in other countries who are only guilty of having another way of life, not agreeing with America‘s military aggression or possessing resources which America wants. And, in the meantime, Americans are living in tents or not getting the medicines they need in order to survive. They are kept poor, which has always helped military recruiting. But don’t believe me. Just think about it. Travel abroad, learn for yourself and then decide if those in Washington are really acting in your interests and if you want to be a part of that. Especially if it involves going to other countries to kill people who also have spouses, parents and children and haven’t done anything to you. Have a good one.

[@Burnardcheasesaw]

Very well said a person with a true grip on the situation and reality of the usa

[@RIPKabosu2000]

Thank you for this comment. I wish you well.

[@goodcommunitylife]

When my one friend was a junior in high school, she wanted to enlist in the army, but her parents guilt tripped her into not signing up because of the dangers and violence. 10 years later, she is doing well at her job as a banker, but she often tells me she that she wishes that she could enlist in the army.

[@airheadusmc3821]

I got out of the Marine Corps in 2014 Im worse of a human being then i ever was. Ive had failed marriages, failed relationships and ruined relationships with my family. Im a loner now and live a life of pain and also an alcoholic. I am absolutely worse of a human being i ever was. The thing is I dont care I am who I am now and havnt seen my daughter in years but im emotionally numb

[@lundsweden]

How about the elites send their kids to join up first?

[@jadetea6112]

Why do they always send the poor?

[@nothingloz9942]

@@jadetea6112 thinking from a rich mindset perspective, the poor are expandable while the rich are immune or deemed "Too Important" to be sent into a warzone. There's more poor then rich so it would make sense from that perspective.

[@davidgarcia32323]

I remember the day I graduated Basic and we stop at Golden Corral for lunch on our way to AIT. There were homeless veterans outside asking us for money 😂

[@davidgarcia32323]

@@CenaCuts cause the government don’t care about the people that sacrifice their life for their country. And then they wonder why nobody is trying to join or resign.

[@AYAKXSHI]

@@CenaCuts irony

[@muddyriverdogz]

There is no free market when a private central bank is controlling your currency ! The millitary is for protecting US dollar global hegemony and corporate interest. Your basically fighting for slavery including your own in the US millitary !

[@mikegallegos416]

The Government has plenty of recruits,now,they don’t need ourSons

[@chasenovak122]

My grandpa loves to tell me stories, loves to talk about people he knew (Worked for Steve Jobs directly for a bit, so I heard some cool stories from the offices of Apple in their earliest days), things he’d done. He never talks about the time he spent fighting in Vietnam. THAT is why I refuse to enlist, I dare not subject myself to that which quiets the outspoken.

[@LifeontheBush]

I love how my Generation is capable and willing to put our foot down when something isn't right. Get better wages, have better programs and therapies for when soldiers come home and maybe I'll think about enlisting.

[@stanleysanders9099]

No most of ya'll got mental health issues and can't join

[@famousmortimer7933]

You’re just cowards at heart really. You’re right about this but were the first redacts kneeling like marks during the Summer of George. Bidge azz even talking about therapy.

[@Dimension-hs7uk]

My army recruiter screwed me over and I got permanently disqualified, she and the whole recruiting station blocked my number, only when I went in did they try to play nice. Context is I had depression for three years of HS, and MEPS takes that very seriously since you're considered a liability, not only did my recruiter withhold that info but sat me in a room reciting lies that would get me to pass, well nowI will never be able to join, and when I tried to contact anyone to have this investigated, they shot it down or ignored my calls. This opened my eyes ro the fact the military doesn't give a fuck about any of their members or people trying to join, then they'll complain about recruitment shortages

[@Ziton98]

I'm 24 now. Had Brain Cancer and surgery at 9. And they won't let me get past the requirement office. I've tried 3 times now. I know I'm only 4'11 with scare tissue on my lungs. But for christ sakes let me serve my country.

[@lv1543]

You cant just go in there and say you have drepression from the get go. Lmao did you really think theyre just gonna let you in with that? 😂😂😂

[@lv1543]

@@Ziton98 they want able bodied people who are an asset not unhealthy useless deadweight

[@funkndavid]

Your first mistake was telling them you had depression, Jesus do people think it’s smart to tell those recruiters every single thing? I got in telling them I was a fuckin pot head

[@5Gburn]

Though their methods sound a bit sketchy, military recruiters have to go through the entire recruitment routine so they can log data points (# of calls to potential recruits, how many interviews, etc.). They blocked your number, I'd hazard a guess, because you kept calling and begging them to reconsider (inferred by your bothering to call them at all rather than dropping the matter). That's not how the military does things. Be thankful, though, as you'd likely have become an FTA if you joined up, and that'd be depressing af in itself. No one wants to fail Basic--esp as an FTA--but it's hella difficult, pushes you *beyond* beyond, and 15% bottom out regardless. Even if you think you're well past your MH issues, you're likely to crack like a walnut in boot camp. Be thankful you've made it over the major hurdle of your depression and move on. (Sources for my knowledge: 3 brothers, 2 sisters military veterans. One sister a GS employee who worked in a US Army recruiting office as a Communications Specialist.)

[@krystlebee931]

The billion you mentioned was split between our forces and private contractors that are categorized under military. Because of the latter’s over funding, it leaves the former greatly in want and need for better support.

[@sydneypadgett196]

I’m Gen Z. Still active duty. I’m not recommending the service to anyone. I’ll stay in because there might be other Hispanic women (like me) who want to join in the future and I want to do my very very best to protect them from things that shouldn’t be happening. I want to create a safe work environment for those who do follow me down this path. But I will never tell a young person to join. If not me, then who? My coworkers tell me to get out anyways, but if I do who’s going to stand up for the brand new enlisted poc, females, LGBTQIA, and any other persons who identify with protected categories? Who’s gonna stand up for those who have been SAd or SHd? That is the only reason I will choose to stay in. I wish someone would’ve protected and stood up for me, but I will make sure to protect and stand up for others. Don’t join the military until there are serious changes to the core of these institutions.

[@artikulv731]

Props to you for trying to create a good work environment in the military, I’ve heard some nasty stories from there.

[@Czarcastic]

Currently 22 years old, enlisted as Active Duty Army, and Gen Z. If anything, from all of the conversations I've had with my friends, if I had to tell you the main reason why my peers and similar aged people aren't joining, it's because they don't see a purpose in the long-run. Hollywood and even the military's marketing campaigns have exaggerated the infantry and aviator lifestyles to the point where a lot of people don't even realize that there's more to the military than just those 2 career fields.

[@theburger_king]

I would fight for my country, but not my government

[@Deridus]

Hear, hear. This, coming from an Iraq War vet.

[@sisigs4820]

This is why forming militias is in our constitution. In order to fight tyranny.

[@trapaneezus]

Let their kids do the fighting.

[@JohnSmith-dr9wv]

This 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 if we get invaded, we'll figure it out. Not the government or our military. We will. Can the government even protect us in the event of that anyways? They lost in Afghanistan after all, and Vietnam, and arguably Iraq too.

[@nateb9768]

They don’t want to deal with: Your medical condition is not service related.

[@swagmund_freud6669]

I'm Canadian and the only time I ever got anything resembling military recruitment propoganda in my school life was a voluntary field trip to the military museum in November for Remembrance day (American Veteran's day), and that class was also an optional film class. And it was just a veteran telling us what it's like. He said he loved his job and all, but yeah it's definitely not for everyone. I think the immense propaganda the US military does is unbelievable, especially towards minors.

[@killakelly1004]

I recently went through the whole process Asvb/Meps. But got disqualified for my vision. I tried getting a waiver but got denied. People want to join but can’t pass Meps. They need to update some standards. I’m sad I couldn’t join and serve my country. I called other branches and they turned me down over the phone and couldn’t even get an appointment with a recruiter. And wonder why there numbers are down. SMH.

[@OnyxAgainstTheWorld]

Perks of the Military: Things you would automatically have access to I other countries.

[@AizakkuZ]

Yep

[@Deridus]

Try extending those benefits across a nation as large as ours with as disparate societies as contained within our borders and with such wild and variated economic situations. It's never going to happen. The only way ever would is if we split off into our sovereign states and strove to do so on a local level. I do not believe we would be able to do so as a federal nation.

[@jakeawad2531]

​@@Deridus wrong universal healthcare and education would be easy to achieve in a country with the largest GDP in the world.

[@Deridus]

@@jakeawad2531 I have seen plenty of graphs that attempt to prove this... to date, they lack data showing that enough medical professionals are on hand to provide care to the assumed influx of new patients. Add in that the corruption that would doubtlessly follow from this, price-fixing would only help a little. There are plenty of ways that it could be implemented but I do not see a way to get through the corruption... Not without massive changes that no doubt still need to happen regardless. Do not get me wrong, the current health system of the United States is a joke. In a way it is a microcosm of all of the problems currently being suffered by Americans.

[@j.l.torres4610]

​@@DeridusI think it's completely possible but taxes would triple. Free Healthcare and schooling but high taxes and people would still complain there is no way of satisfying everyone.

[@maar9526]

Personally joining the navy has been the best decision I’ve ever made but seeing how things are going from the inside I can’t blame anyone for not wanting to join. We’re moving in the wrong direction and service members are being taken for granted.

[@johndoe-ek6vl]

moving in? It's gone off the cliff since I got out. They literally run insane bs about pronouns and fudge packing on AFN.

[@EnabIing]

When u joined?

[@maar9526]

@@EnabIing 2014

[@muddyriverdogz]

There is no free market when a private central bank is controlling your currency ! The millitary is for protecting US dollar global hegemony and corporate interest. Your basically fighting for slavery including your own in the US millitary !

[@skyking6989]

2 brothers were in the military. I was thinking about both enlisting. They both said dont do it. Glad i listened.

[@Borlamach]

Been in the Air Force for over 15 years now, own a house, two vehicles, have no student debt, can retire less than five years from now, been to 15 countries, 36 states, and I'm married to the most beautiful woman in the world whom I met while being stationed in Japan. The biggest regret I have is that I did not join sooner. The Air Force has given me an amazing life and unbelievable experiences. I remember waking up some mornings in Okinawa, walking out onto my sixth floor balcony, overlooking part of the island, and asking myself "how am I even here right now?" It was almost too good to believe.

[@R3spond__]

Nobody wanna die for 40,000.

[@dry9005]

I'm a member of Gen Z and multiple of my friends, white, black, and latino alike joined various branches of the military (Mainly Army and Marines, with one or two going into the Navy). Growing up, I wanted to be one of them, joining the Army was one of my life goals for years, up until I was about 17. By this point, the idea of harm coming to me, PTSD, etc. etc. wasn't something that really phased me. The main reasons I ultimately decided against heading into the military was the lack of care given by higher-ups and a general loss of faith in the government. Personally, I despise our current governmental entities on nearly every level, why would I volunteer to serve them? I still see the military as an honorable thing, and national security as something that is important to me, but I can't willingly serve politicians who view me and my hypothetical fellow soldiers to die for nothing, in wars that do nothing but serve the elite, and fight for something I don't even believe in.

[@pat-orl]

Great that you didn't join

[@thebestcentaur]

Multiple members of my family have served and done fine-but they all got lucky, and at least two of them didn't have a say in the matter ("thanks" to the draft). Unless it was through a service academy, I could never, for many reasons, including the ones you mention. The 1% and our political powerhouses (both D and R) need to send their children to the frontlines, or go themselves. They complain that our military is shrinking and weakening-time for them to lead by example!

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

yeah.. now you kids can just get PTSD from being called the wrogn pronouns.. no need to join the military to get abused

[@muddyriverdogz]

There is no free market when a private central bank is controlling your currency ! The millitary is for protecting US dollar global hegemony and corporate interest. Your basically fighting for slavery including your own in the US millitary !

[@baronvonjo1929]

My brother is on the Air Force. Low pay, no control of your life, and its random if you score or not. Some people enjoy it. Loads get stationed in depressing areas and have terrible upper staff. Several suicides have happened in his base since he has been there and it hasn't even been a year. And then other have heard from buddies they went to boot camp with that others have committed suicde in other bases.

[@lilchaparro9126]

As a US Veteran I hole heartily agree with many topics of concerns discussed in this video essay. I too came from low income family and yes the US forces recruited from our high school. Many of us were from low income families. Yes, there are many downsides of serving on active duty. Would I take all back, the answer is NO. Because there’s many upsides. Yes there are many alternatives than the military but we cannot lose our commitment to this country and all the sacrifices others have made.

[@luismonterroza1930]

Great and informative video! I normally don't comment on YT videos but as a veteran (I was on active duty Army for over 7 years), I thought I'd post. Great points were made but I also think that Gen Z saw the massive mistakes and horrendous end result from our last two wars; Afghanistan lasting 20 years only to have the Taliban return was not an outcome anyone wanted. Also, take the legacy families who for generations have served. After those 2 wars and the trauma experienced, those vets are not advocating or encouraging their children to join. Not to generalize but I think the last point is only going to increase over time. Kids today know they deserve adequate pay, respect, and stability. Unfortunately, the military isn't the best option for most people today. Furthermore getting rid of the MAVNI program (allowing non-citizens to serve to help gain their citizenship) was a blow that hurt crucial jobs within the military. I always found it sad that non-citizens are more eager to serve than those born here.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Great points and perspective! Thanks for watching the video and taking the time to share your opinions.

[@thebestcentaur]

Soon they may have no choice but to bring MAVNI back, as well as other paths like the prison-or-military route. This dearth of willing and able recruits is only going to worsen over time, and another draft is a fantastic way to send the country headfirst into chaos-especially in the era of social media

[@kossttamojaan]

Everyone of my family members that have served say the same thing: "Don't"

[@JohnDoe-wt9ek]

Create a society where the weakest link is held as the highest standard, be prepared for the quality of everything to fall apart. Even your military.

[@DanDaFreakinMan]

Not even a year in I got kicked out for an injury. No, no medical discharge. Only honorable discharge. Apparently I didn't blow my leg off so it wasn't warranted. Today I have to deal with limited arm motion, pain just by lifting my arms up, and can barely carry anything heavy without employing some weird pulley trick. No VA yet, but maybe I might get that approved one day. Long story short, don't join the Army unless you absolutely have to. If you have to join a military branch, try Air Force instead.

[@DeadInterior]

Might be because you can be an E-4 or E-5 and still need a 2nd job or foodstamps.

[@victormonte5881]

Knew a friend who was a staff sergeant in the airforce with me and lived on base housing and it shocked me when he told me he was on them I couldn't fucking believe it

[@BecauseBroward]

I'm finding more and more parents discouraging their kids as if it's a last resort. Just beautiful cause the military deserves it.

[@drowchild8767]

I recently got a survey for focused ad stuff. About 1/4 of it was the ads, the other 3/4 was just asking how I felt about the military