U.S. Military faces a recruiting crisis; service member offers solutions to change that

Author and Marine Corps intelligence officer, Matthew Weiss, addresses the military recruiting crisis in his new book 'We Don't Want You, Uncle Sam.'
» Subscribe to MSNBC: on.msnbc.com/Su...
Follow MSNBC Show Blogs
MaddowBlog: www.msnbc.com/...
ReidOut Blog: www.msnbc.com/...
MSNBC delivers breaking news, in-depth analysis of politics headlines, as well as commentary and informed perspectives. Find video clips and segments from The Rachel Maddow Show, Morning Joe, The Beat with Ari Melber, Deadline: White House, The ReidOut, All In, Last Word, 11th Hour, and Alex Wagner who brings her breadth of reporting experience to MSNBC primetime. Watch “Alex Wagner Tonight” Tuesday through Friday at 9pm Eastern.
Connect with MSNBC Online
Visit msnbc.com: on.msnbc.com/Re...
Subscribe to the MSNBC Daily Newsletter: MSNBC.com/NewslettersKZbin
Find MSNBC on Facebook: on.msnbc.com/Li...
Follow MSNBC on Twitter: on.msnbc.com/Fo...
Follow MSNBC on Instagram: on.msnbc.com/In...
#Recruiting #Military #Marines

[@xandercrews1517]

Doesn't matter if you are Red, Blue, Rep, Dem, Independent or whatever. All anyone has to do is take a look at how they treat our veterans to see why no one wants to join.

[@Tofu_Pilot]

Stop with all this truth and the making sense. Stating facts is how you get hated and cancelled.

[@rossbabcock3790]

America loves it's veterans. The federal government does not. I have been treated like drain on the system and a 'clinger'.

[@glenn71144]

​@jonathanACABdeadMAGAs pact act. Every rep voted against it. Tubbervulle is stopping all promotions. Stop messing with our military. The gop lies and does nothing for our military and our Vets.

[@ronaldcole7415]

The "losers and suckers" comment didn't exactly help with recruiting either.

[@nex-ex5100]

It's largely not how "they" treat veterans, it's how our society treats veterans. That's the thing about representative government....it IS the people.

[@kepler186f4]

I think the youth are waking up to the fact that the last three major conflicts amounted to a lot of pain and suffering with no results... the only ones who truly benefited from the conflicts were the corporations and their shareholders.

[@donmezzanatto8607]

facts

[@rileylabski]

KBR, Halliburton, the list goes on and on don't it?

[@kepler186f4]

@@rileylabski Ah yes... Kellogg-Brown and their electrical work.... My generation it was dioxin... Agent Orange.

[@ARod-br2ui]

The average Joe blow will never really know what these wars are really about. That is something known to the global elites and the top echelons of banking and business. The real movers and shakers of the world. The ones that really call the shots. Not these clown puppet corrupt and compromised politicians that are paraded in front of us on a daily basis.

[@SSGoatanks]

It might not matter if the Military offers to pay off student loan debt. If not enough people join, then the US will no longer have a volunteer system for the armed forces.

[@RicanNY7]

It doesn't take a rocket scientist why recruiting is an issue. Look how they treat veterans after service, look at the PTSD after serving, and the lack of affordable Healthcare and unaffordable housing. Using social media is just a cop-out on the real issues. No one wants to die for being mistreated by the same country while the rich get rich and don't pay their fair share in this country. And you watch your own family struggle. You don't see no rich person serving, it's only the poor and working class serving.

[@micheleconner5083]

And the politicians children don't serve,in some cases. There are exceptions. Thinking back to my youth,I can remember rich peoples kids serving and politicians kids serving. It was with pride that they served. Then came Vietnam. No one wanted to serve. The ones who were able to , left for Canada. Or enrolled in college. Then the government said college won't keep you out of military , unless you're becoming a doctor. Lots of people changed their majors then. Maybe the draft needs brought back?

[@toxicslix]

@@micheleconner5083 - even in Canada we don't treat our Vets any better it seems.

[@1MTed]

Facts. Not one person helped me when i got out. I was so lost. I am lucky very lucky i somehow survived in halfway houses for a year before i got my first apartment.

[@antenna.]

Rolled my eyes the moment i heard "social media and iphones", apparently this person is Gen Z but is so privileged he has absolutely no idea what's actually going on.

[@RabbiSchmuelGoldsteinTreeofLif]

Plus we all know that the US military belongs to Israel, not the people of the United States

[@Totallygrateful777]

Who can blame them? How many veterans have been ignored by their government after serving? It's shameful.

[@brb__bathroom]

during all of US history? uhm, I don't have my notes with me, but my guesstimate is close to all of them.

[@tringuyen7519]

Yes, some veterans have been ignored. But other veterans have succeeded incredibly in the private sector. No one covers that. Thus, everyone have a bad view of the military.

[@wasteoftimehere]

​@@tringuyen7519how you treat your most vulnerable citizens defines you as a nation

[@Sagiterrian77]

I guess if you’re mentally healthy you want to be a trained killer for the capitalist machine. War Is A Racket- Smedley Butler

[@jackl4laughs]

​@@tringuyen7519a majority of veterans haven't gotten the help they need, if you're unaware of that I recommend you go volunteer at the VA for a week and see if you still think our veterans are treated properly.

[@paulmanegold304]

Look how they treat vets.Look at all the homeless vets.Look at the va hospital no thanks

[@eby2257]

Demonrats have turned our once proud military into woke summercamp. Leftie loonies should ALL be drafted!!

[@Worldofourown2024]

Oh gosh, I used to love VA for all of 20 years, but not anymore since the past 3 weeks. Oh dear, President Biden and the radical left woke Communist Manifesto Democrapped out party. Oh dear, America is really lost. Don't go to a recruiter, whatever you do. And if you're a veteran, try to establish something for work or hope your parents left you a house and some money so you can have your private health and long term care plan insurance program or be able to just fly to another country such as Thailand when you need dental, treatment, surgeries, or even long term old age care in the event of sickness or accident. They're not going to help us in America, nor allow us to be financially independent to pay our bills and way, but just abuse us, let us suffer, and then we have to die a painful miserable death for nothing as in being completely unnecessary and wrong.

[@audimaster5000]

Seeing the US has been at the head of the economic wealth/power distribution for decades, it seems to me that anyone or any amount of homelessness, lack of access to legitimate food and access to healthcare for everyone is a moral failure of society. Or a failure that we allowed a pattern of policy and lawmakers to be manipulated/incentivized to allow the insane division of wealth/power. Especially when such entities are self-serving rather for the soldiers, laborers or communities. And the insane trillions of dollars that subsidize all these things enable for what is like an ai software program gone rogue be it industry, corporations, military related contracts and exploitation of other countries. Because even if hypothetically the veterans are accounted for all the sudden, it’d be pointless and offensive for a military that ultimately isn’t allowed or isn’t truly for what’s often claimed some fantastic idea of ‘peace’ or ‘freedom’. And the way that corporations, the ones who benefit most from military dealings, the way the other agencies like CIA operate…there’s no way jointing the military is wise for someone who’s not doing it as a last ditch effort to create an income for themselves. Because the idea of it being a morally and ethically sound institution- as if it’s the pinnacle of integrity, most valuable thing and a glorified symbol of sacrifice snd patriotism is sort of obvious for everyone not how it works. This has nothing to do with trying to point a finger at most fellow Americans who join. Many are young and don’t know what they don’t know- and can’t just make anything change by themselves. Overall though, it’s often a myth that veterans are neglected as far as housing and such and more about the psychological aspect where like any citizen as well simply aren’t entirely accounted for as people. And this creates a lot who simply refuse to accept help or aid even if it’s part of a vet program or whatever. The ones who know how to make helpful changes or overhaul dated systems that government agencies rely- the ones who are capable rarely are given the responsibility and instead it’s special interest groups and politicians with teams that are lackluster and out of touch with reality. Not always but definitely a patten that’s common

[@eby2257]

Veterans aren't like Demonrats. I served in Nam, never got a "Thank you for your service" until after 9-11. People called us names when we got back and we got zero respect. We didn't care. We served our country because we loved our country, not for accolades. Traitor Joe has made the military woke and pronouns are more important than the dignity of our female servicemembers. YOU wokies should enlist!! You get to shower with the women!!!!

[@thomastolbert6184]

⁠​⁠@@audimaster5000,I served trom fifty until dec. fifty four. Now I see people actively telling young people not to serve! This is just the leftest way of destroying what once was a beautiful country! Young prople don't see this! I don't want us to be anotherCuba or leftist country! The VA has treated me honestly but you have to go to them before they can help you! The WOKE asxholes are the ones that find out to late that they were wrong but that is too late to help the damage they have done! Why would the Presidents Military Advisors report to Don Pelosi? This proves the country was taken over by the mafia before they killed JFK!

[@dannmarceau]

Lots of money goes into the military but gets siphoned off by MIC, leaving the troops with poor pay and conditions; once they serve and muster out, they may have lifelong disabilities and are not well received or taken care of.

[@nancychace8619]

Dan - I'd like to think this day and age they are well received, but you're right there have been instances where the care has been lacking. Not all the time (I hope!).

[@jackmehoff9517]

Nobody should serve the criminal government

[@hybridPeople358]

The U.S has the biggest military budget, yet most veterans are treated worse than illegals immigrants in NY.

[@user-ve7uv8je8j]

Exactly what i said. Random handout seekers are treated like Royalty compared to veterans

[@jamesholbrook6734]

⁠@@user-ve7uv8je8j No, they are both treated like crap. Mostly, they don’t know what to do with these people. Outreach is ineffective. But I study in Canada exposed our shame. They gave thousands of dollars to people on the dole to see what would happen, and they all put it to good use in college in training, and started a new life. So why is it so hard to get a good education when you get out of the military? What happened to the G.I. Bill??! Why is it so hard to get an education or start a business? And it all comes back to greed… Republicans stifle healthcare, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the G.I., Bill, in favor of tax cuts to the wealthy. If you support the military, you need to vote Democrat! Homeless vets are largely discouraged and under confident. Whatever it takes, help them. But the money isn’t there… We can’t hire the workers. No social workers, no counselors, no life coaches, and no programs for the vast majority. Tell the Republicans that We want to help the vets, and they keep getting in the way.

[@lilliathmo-alaali]

send them problem solved

[@LordAmalthea]

This. No thinking person is going to send themselves to unnecessary wars for corrupt politicians only to be treated lower than people who broke the law to get here.

[@JK360noscope]

LoL If you treat the military like the guys who went over in WWII, no one expected benefits they just served the country.

[@cigarfeeler]

As a former infantryman in the United States Army 🇺🇸, I can understand the reasons for this generation to not enlist in the military. This generation witnessed with their own eyes the horrors of war on military services members and the consequences inflicted on servicemen and servicewomen.

[@pleiadesstarr453]

Not to mention the damaged inflicted on countless victims of war around the world.

[@MysticiaDevHoopsMacabre]

“Yes, BUT-“ there is never going to be a but that will make any of this good or right. America is evil. It chooses to neglect their current vets and force people to suffer so the 1% can be disgustingly rich and entitled. Don’t expect any soldiers, America. You aren’t worth dying for.

[@deeznutz8320]

​@@pleiadesstarr453For Israëls illegal expansion and haliburton

[@rl8571]

We always knew wars are horrific. Only reason people joined after Vietnam was for college. This reason was made obsolete by student loans and debt forgiveness. Only reason left for youth is citizenship for illegal immigrants since we have a boatload of them and probably seen worst violence. I see this as a solution if Americans won't do it.

[@JohnSmith-pl4sf]

I'm gen z, we dont want to join because we are aware of how not only veterans are treated, and we are aware of the war crimes committed by the military, and we dont want to be a part of that, I still cant stop thinking about that video of soldiers in the middle east, there was a video of a Islamic family scared and our soldiers were invasive of their home, and they even shot their dog, and the dog was even tied up so it wasnt loose, if that's what serving is about then I'm not joining, let the politicians fight their own wars

[@jason4453]

At 18 you can't buy a beer or pack of smokes, (or even a defensive weapon like a pistol) because you're too young and not an adult? But apparently 18 is old enough to go to war and die? 🤔🧐

[@OLIVE_ARROW1969]

I get your point, but where can you not buy smokes or a gun at 18?

[@jason4453]

@@OLIVE_ARROW1969 In a lot of places you can't buy smokes until you are 21. 👍 The same for buying any firearm in many states you must be 21. Colorado has a law going into affect that you must be 21 to buy a gun, and there's other states that are the same. Even Florida has something like that in law where you have to be 21.

[@jason4453]

​@@OLIVE_ARROW1969 Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky everywhere it's going up to 21 to buy smokes

[@bsing2u]

They should raise the age to 21. At 18, they should be enjoying life, work, college, ect... that gives them 3 years to be more mature (hopefully) to make sound decision to join the military.

[@micheleconner5083]

Always been that way. That same argument was used to get the voting age lowered to 18.

[@markjohnson5876]

we treat our soldiers like trash, whats the mystery?

[@kennixox262]

Just solders are treated like trash? What about Airmen, Marines, Sailors, Guardians?

[@user-ci1yt1db4n]

@@kennixox262 I think he means 'soldiers' in the same context as 'GI', referring to all military servicemembers - not just specific to one branch.

[@tim3172]

@@kennixox262 Defense . gov defines a soldier as "...anyone who has undergone basic training... we are all soldiers, in a united front, serving under many banners." This was propaganda; attempting to legitimize "Space Force" (lol). So, your argument isn't with myself or Mark. It's with the Department of Defense.

[@CrayonMan731]

@@kennixox262Guardsmen, reservists. Either way I think they meant all servicemen of all branches. A lot of people just skip to soldiers as a simplified term to call all servicemen of this nation.

[@kennixox262]

@@CrayonMan731 As a former USAF member, I never cared to be called a solder. Towards usually people would refer to me last "Col _______________. Or Lieutenant Colonel _____________. The military branches went to great effort to create branch specific patters on their utility uniforms. They might as well call us all "boots on the ground". It is a fact that only 1% of Americans have served in the military and most Americans don't know anyone who has been. Would I recommend that a young person join the military? No.

[@112kain]

If you defend the country today you are defending a bunch of monopolies and a rigged tax system. We are defending the inheritance of musk and bezos kids! Also we are defending a system where people who did everything right get no help and people who did nothing right get all the help.

[@deeznutz8320]

Musk and Bezos lol

[@prestoncorkern989]

Or hear me out… hunter Biden and Nancy pelosi money laundering without getting in legal trouble. “Rules are for thee and not for me”

[@charleswest6372]

Welcome to the Roman Empire 😮

[@kingkoi6542]

That's not even remotely true... So defending the country somehow doesn't mean defending your own mother? Or backyard? C'mon the country is more than its corporations... Defending the country would also mean fighting against this system of moloch...

[@givemedeath5801]

@@kingkoi6542Oh yeah, name ONE WAR, one single war, that's all you have to do, in the past 40 years that has had anything to do with defending the US? Name one. Come on, Mr. Patriot, bet you can't. It's all been about defending the corporations and acquiring oil and resources in the Middle East. Now you can enjoy the collapse of military recruitment. You want to saddle us with debt, make sure that we can't afford homes, and pay us a pittance. Ask me to serve? No, the moment I'm sent to the front lines I'm fragging the American side because it betrayed us.

[@CD_RN_Independent_Voter]

I was about to join as a Navy Nurse for graduate school benefits but MEPS was such an incompetent and ineffecient experience so I realized that my opportunities as a civilian are infinitely better.

[@Julian-4]

I got an incompetent experience at MEPS, and a doctor with a huge ego. All this time later, it was an infinitely better experience having not gone in.

[@edwordthe3rd743]

Yeah I'm afraid MEPS is just the beginning 😂

[@Me-eb3wv]

Respect.

[@EckRD]

MEPs was the first step. 😂

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

Army reservist here and yeah, MEPS could be vastly improved.

[@hybridPeople358]

I wanted to join 10 years ago. I got a job after seeing so many homeless veterans.

[@GhostShura1984]

same alomst got in but got a call from a job application i put in a few months ago took the job and didnt look back

[@NOYACOMIC]

@@GhostShura1984 hiii how to do please can you help me with process to apply

[@jamesphillips5868]

Every veteran I know owns a home…no down payment, 4 years free college tuition, first in line for job hires, 10-15% discounts on vehicle purchases, if disability getting monthly payments, if they have dependents they get more money, tsp still builds, work for DOD still can retire out. What are ya’ll talking about?

[@CRAWLER3888]

@@jamesphillips5868maybe up there in Bumfuck, Wisconsin. Everywhere else is not the same bro…

[@jamesphillips5868]

@@CRAWLER3888 …I’m in Texas.

[@robertehatten4847]

They don’t pay well and the military took away benefits so no, the new generation said.

[@TheEmpireAnimations]

They didn't take benefits away what are you talking about? Free health care, VA loan, money for school same for your kids as well

[@DevilDaRebel]

@@TheEmpireAnimationsbahahhahahaha “free healthcare.”

[@tim3172]

@@TheEmpireAnimations I would implore you to spend 15 seconds doing some research into the "free healthcare".

[@renzeusoya5828]

​@@tim3172 Makes me wonder why so many Americans want 'free healthcare' when the 'free healthcare' is subpar and takes lots of taxes to maintain.

[@gamerdudeforlife101]

​@@TheEmpireAnimationsit's not enough....10,000 dollar signing bonus is 6,000 ish after taxes and you only get half of half for 2 years....so 3000 a year for 2 years.........yep totally worth it....not

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

If we would simply BREAK UP THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY MONOPOLIES we wouldn't be paying unbelievable prices for stuff like valves (from $23 to $4500). We could then afford to pay TRIPLE the wages to the military.

[@marklin4693]

Western weapons are expensive, but they do save lives. Else no way Ukraine can hold off Russia from three sides. There is a lot of finger pointing, but people are also shelling out billions of dollars to see Taylor Swift. So maybe if we all come together calmly we can work things out. Just don’t count on the guy who can’t even build a wall after 4 years and adding 7 trillions to the national debt.

[@micheleconner5083]

$900 hammers and $500 toilet seats? Yeah, some companies are getting rich off the military! Twice, actually. They get the government contract and that tax break,then turn around and charge godacious prices for things!

[@suezbell1]

YES

[@josephfuller6229]

Don't forget the 5k hammers 🤦

[@ecbrown6151]

That’s the tip of iceberg, think bigger. Halliburton received exclusive no-bid contracts during the Iraq catastrophe while their former CEO served as Vice President of the United States. It’s rotten all the way through. Eisenhower warned the country but nobody really listened.

[@christopherbrown9279]

Maybe if congressman, senators, and governors, took a pay cut and gave it to the brave men and women who deserve it this wouldn't be happening.

[@AccipiterAtricapillus]

it's not just them, a lot of our defense spending gets lost or just hyper-inflate numbers on pricing to rip the government off. if we crack down on corruption it helps.

[@eby2257]

Maybe the leftwing nuts should do their part and serve in the woke new military Biden has created!!

[@unconventionalideas5683]

They have been taking pay cuts in real terms since 2009 for just about every year, because they have voted down inflation adjusted pay increases.

[@tonynunez6539]

The billionaires need a huge pay cut called paying your fair share so those who really work and contribute can support their families and invest for the future.

[@redman6578]

I just can't wait for an apocalypse to rise

[@bellabella9181]

Traditionally the military recruited heavily in very poor areas. As an example I was recently in WV Appalachia, every 40 yr old male or over I met had some service. It was a job when no other opportunities existed. Now, you can probably earn more working in a fast food joint. TBH there are a ton of jobs out there now that don’t require you to risk your life that pay better. I also think that 18/19 yr olds now are incredibly anti-war and just better informed. They know the Iraq war was pointless and was just a political hit job by republicans to fund the military industrial complex. Those companies make Trillions literally while some military families are on food stamps.

[@pamelafabiani8038]

This is a sad fact !!

[@stevearaque4362]

To single out Republicans is an un fair assessment. President Kennedy set up and help insinuate the agreement that led to our involvement in the Vietnam War. President Johnson was a huge stockholder in Dow chemical company the manufacturer of napalm, widely used in the Vietnam Nam war. Cooperate greed has no political bounds.

[@RushaMan]

As a european, I am begging for Trump to win for the reason you state, I am a reserve soldier who recently found a succesful career outside the army. If Biden gets us into WW3, that’ll be life or death for me, their choice not to send necessary equipment to Ukraine shows us this is a war for profit led by democrats currently.

[@ericuehanajr8881]

As a disabled army vet, I can tell you times are different. The youth see how bs all of the past 3 wars have been, but you shouldn’t say it’s a all republican thing, look at biden and how he’s giving away all of our economies money to Ukraine, then opening our southern borders and giving all illegals better treatment that veterans.

[@blaze-uz6or]

Good point but IMHO it's a uni party both parties are beyond corrupt.

[@donmezzanatto8607]

My family has fought in EVERY US war (sadly) We now tell our kids not to join. We will defend US if it attacked and that's it. The CONSTITUTION is under attack here at home!

[@lisabruner7018]

Both my sons served, and I am very proud of them. One son was in the Army and went to war and died in 2018 at age 27. My youngest served five years on a submarine, and he has PTSD and anxiety

[@pleiadesstarr453]

​@@lisabruner7018And there's the reason NOT to join.

[@donmezzanatto8607]

Thank you for their service @@lisabruner7018

[@xxjr8axx]

@@lisabruner7018 How do you get PTSD from serving in a submarine? I really want to know this now.

[@Donner906]

Stop complaining and admit you are now cowards.

[@SgtD1981]

I am retired Air Force, and I made darn sure that my daughter did not join the military. The retirement system now is crap. There’s still a lot of discrimination. When I was young, I didn’t have choices so I make sure she did. Women are not treated equally in military, even though they’re allowed to hold the same jobs. The discrimination exists because of the patriarchy.

[@banksiasong]

Valuable comment, thank you.

[@tringuyen7519]

That’s a harsh view. Your daughters could taken the opportunity of using the GI bill for college with a single tour of duty. I know many veterans that became engineers!

[@MrGchild14]

As a VSO and retiree, you’re not wrong and I discourage my daughters from joining as well.

[@karmaalstad5588]

​@@tringuyen7519 When someone decides to join the military, they take the ASVAB test. Your scores decide what jobs you qualify for. Sure you go through Basic Training, then on to Advanced Individual Training (the MOS you orginally qualified for and picked). One can always decide after that to re-class into something else later. Again, this is based on test scores. Back in my day anyway.

[@arronsmith4958]

@@tringuyen7519 I took my GI bill and earned a bachelor's degree in human sciences... specifically nutrition. I was able to get my degree with a fraction of the debt most students face, but I'm still spending about half as much on my student debt as I am on my rent every month,and will be doing so for the next 10 years... My 4 year degree has afforded me the privilege of a job that pays 60k a year... college degrees aren't the key to the American dream that we were told it was in our youth.

[@nacarreira777]

Looks like Gen Z is telling Uncle Sam to use more diplomacy rather than killing and being killed in old men's wars.

[@michaelbogan3940]

Here's an idea. Let's make sure the people in charge of military oversight. Have at least rotc training. Or two substantial fights in their lifetime

[@suezbell1]

YES. Especially if you want to be Commander in Chief of the US military, you need to have served.

[@LostintheTwilightZone]

ROTC are the worst.......they think they know about the military but are little more than boyscouts.........

[@johngallagher479]

You 2 are making too much sense with those comments! 🤙👌

[@RealTalkWithGaryM]

When you have to receive snap benefits while serving your country. I believe that would deter a lot of people from joining military. The military should be one of the highest paid jobs in this country. But people in congress make more money than maybe 90% of military personnel. What’s wrong with that picture.

[@IkaikaArnado]

War is just old men talking and young men dying. Gen Z is smart.

[@kwaii_gamer]

You will notice the emphasis was on GenZ and society. Their was no mention of deployments, loss of benefits, Tubberville, veteran's discouraging family members from joining, and republicans voting against VA benefits. You know the real issues.

[@jadapinkett1656]

Tubberville is a boss.

[@kwaii_gamer]

@@jadapinkett1656 Maybe but he is not a leader.

[@ronaldcole7415]

He's willing to try to make things better. Kudos for that. A Vet myself, I've worked with many other Vets as a former COO of a Veterans org. What we identified as the most pressing issue the US military has, is the lack of a transition methodology and support system that assures service members can transition back into civlian life and succeed. Transition without being broke, hungry and homeless who many times are without family, friends or support mechanisms when let go. Which is what many face today and far more than previous generations. In my view for what it's worth, what the US armed forces need most is a transition system that avoids these outcomes from the get go. It won't solve every issue, but it will solve the biggest one.

[@segurosincero4057]

Good answer.

[@glenn71144]

Also a Vet here. The transition period after service is very difficult.

[@ronaldcole7415]

Example: A place to stay, sleep safely, clean up and get a meal while looking for a job, trade school, college enrollment benefits to begin and similar things (Not a civilian homeless shelter). Especially for those who lack a family or friend support system when discharged.

[@turretplug6858]

@@ronaldcole7415those systems are already in place. You’re talking out of your rear end. SFL TAP SEP

[@ronaldcole7415]

Many high ranking officials and military personnel have long feared a helpful transition system because they contend it would hurt retention. Which it would to a small degree. But nothing worth noting. So they've known this needs to be in place for awhile but currently are willing to accept the suicide rates to keep their position on this.

[@theresebortzfield188]

Get rid if Tuberville. Pay the millitart appropriately. Stop expecting military members to survive using the dole to survive. Treating out military like crap is not acceptable.

[@pamelafabiani8038]

Thank you for your service and intellect on the subject of recruitment!!!

[@r.pres.4121]

Time to audit and clean house in the Pentagon. We need to see where all our tax money allocated to defense is being spent and on what. That is the first major step in improving our military environment.

[@SlyFan-mp8dc]

Why are you mad at him? They could just vote for the nominations individually if they wanted, and things would resume just fine.

[@tim3172]

@@SlyFan-mp8dc That's not how it works, buddy.

[@SlyFan-mp8dc]

@@tim3172 Actually it does. The only reason it’s not going through is the abortion policy they want to slip in. They could just vote for the nominations and keep the abortion policy a separate debate, but Democrats pull this kind of stunt every time they try to pass a bill. 1) Introduce a bill or nomination. 2) Sneak in unpopular policies. 3) Wait for the other side to vote against the bill for the obvious unpopular policy. 4) Lie about what’s happening so that the narrative is against the opposite side. 5) Either cave in, somehow get it passed, or write an executive order. 6) Continue the lies to keep people angry the wrong people. 7) Rinse and repeat

[@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.

[@mariyagin1244]

100% at last they started

[@user-uu1si1td6h]

Over ten years later I still struggle getting benefits and have lived out of a van a lot of times, talk about that. I encourage anyone to find a better solution than join.

[@user-uu1si1td6h]

Oh yeah, and I was in Afghanistan

[@TheGoldenPlatoon757]

Why do you live out of a van, was the money not enough or something? I'm asking because I'm in the army and I'm scared of transitioning.

[@EckRD]

Here is a better solution for folks out there. Don't join for the money( low anyway for lower enlisted). If you like mopping and wiping 80% of the time, go for it. This is true for any MOS. The civilian sector simply pays more. 😂

[@My_NewYork_Squirrel]

​@@EckRDwow really. 😮

[@folofus4815]

If I wanted to be yelled at by a loud black woman, I’d go to a movie theatre

[@TheGoldenPlatoon757]

lol

[@marcusturner6361]

😂

[@micheleconner5083]

With senators like Tuberville talking down about the military, asking why they cant be more like the Russian army, what do you expect from people? Then you have Tuberville blatantly saying he doesn't like women being in the service(or maybe they shouldn't be serving if they're going to need abortions!). He wants to punish the entire US military just because the Pentagon will help women travel to a state to get reproductive healthcare! When the power in power wont support or fight for our military, that sends a message to possible recruits that their service isnt important to them!

[@LostintheTwilightZone]

Yes, the Russian Army that is sending untrained 16/17 year olds,and men up to 60 years old into combat!!!

[@callen8908]

My personal impression of Gen-Z is that they are wonderful human beings. They are facing a ever-faster shifting world, which brings a level of challenge and uncertainty I did not experience in my young life - not at this level. I appreciate this man helping to find a solution to maintaining the staffing of our defense as a nation

[@deeznutz8320]

Imagine being white and fighting for a country that hates you😂

[@chris-wi3xx]

@@deeznutz8320 America has been split into factions, not just whites are hated in this country. Every race and class are pitted against each other in some way.

[@GhostShura1984]

i dont have to imagine we are living it @@deeznutz8320

[@Airland_combat]

​@@chris-wi3xxIf we'd unite. The recruiting numbers would rise.

[@Me-eb3wv]

@@chris-wi3xx I’d say the whites definitely have it the worst these days, and this is coming from an POC immigrant. Whites are the only group you can be openly rac1st and not loose your job or go to prison for. The same cannot be said about any other ethnic group. If you talk too much smack about Israel or black folks you will be labeled as an extremist racist anti Semite and you could face hate crime charges and get your bank account locked up.

[@mwmnmwm]

Look at how our vets are treated. My sons have seen that and never even considered it an option. They like to be paid for their work, enjoy their time off and not be treated like garbage the whole time.

[@laurie113]

GenZ doesn’t want to die for nothing. Right mr. Flynn.

[@CrayonMan731]

I feel like that’s an under simplified version of the military. It’s about betterment of you as a person, not entirely because you want to serve your nation. It’s rare to be put in a situation where you’re going to die because you are trained to avoid that outcome. Your best chance of dying is in special forces or infantry, most other jobs are not as dangerous in the military.

[@jacklan4103]

When I joined the military I raised my right hand. When I left the military I raised my middle finger.

[@ryn8101]

The first step to better recruitment would be to give the people of the US a country actually worth fighting for, if the country takes care of its people then its people will take care of their country but the only thing that many (especially republican) politicians are interested in serving are their wealthy donors. Money talks in this country and it talks a lot louder than the people who need help. My grandfather is a Vietnam War vet and it took decades for him to receive compensation that was more than just a thank you every 4th and discounts at the zoo. Even so, it's still not enough for the trauma and the awful orders he had to issue out including that mess with agent orange. This soldier is thinking too small

[@SlyFan-mp8dc]

If you think Republicans are the only ones who serve wealthy donors, you’re living in a very small bubble.

[@blaze-uz6or]

It's not just Republicans Dems are war pigs it's a uni party.

[@EckRD]

What is there to fight for now? Social media has really put out the real face of the military.

[@kaidevir]

GenZ doesn’t wanna bully other countries. People know what US military did.

[@anthonyroberts2678]

As an Iraq War veteran, you are not defending the country. You are defending the banks, corporate/political special interests, and the criminal politicians profitting from war, chaos, and suffering!!

[@vmab1985]

I'm also an Iraq veteran, and I concur!

[@phoenixpaquette9627]

As a Veteran, well said Sir, thank you for the book. We can only hope it can help move forward.

[@deeznutz8320]

Come die for Israel should be the name

[@Me-eb3wv]

I hope all is well brotha but I also hope you find out that war is a racket and all profits go to corporate America and 1srael while your fellow battle buddies are suffering in poverty.

[@RCS117]

the enlistment process is broken for multiple reasons. not just the health exams. Sometimes you have to wait up to a year after you "sign up" to actually go to boot camp! Imagine any other job where you apply, get hired, and they say "great, you start in 8-12 months...not sure... we will let you know." Oh your "ship date" changes a dozen times so good luck keeping a job, home, relationships, etc in the meantime. And the commissioning process for non-service academy or ROTC cadets is even worse...

[@allthingswavy6420]

Your comment has made me think: If an institution (the military) must remove a person's individualism and emotional connections in society to create "military group" loyalty, then they must be held responsible for replacing the individual psyche they torn down in training IF transition were to be successful. Very interesting--thank you!

[@asanta2023]

I think sometimes you have to wait after you sign up because of the job you pick. My Son is a submariner, a job that is immensely needed, so he was recruited quickly. It depends on what job you select.

[@srainairforce]

I waited a year to ship out to basic training. I have been in the military for almost four years by now and have two more years to go. I will definitely not be re-enlisting.

[@EckRD]

​@@srainairforceIt would be easier to lat move to another MOS or get commission as a warrant officer. There are options 😂

[@kabbyhearts]

How are y'all shipping out so late? Everyone I knew ship off date were quick af! I knew ppl that only had two weeks. Mines is 6 weeks away. I could still get a side job if I wanted. But dang 6 months to a year 😮

[@bethsteel5856]

Yea same right outta high school I was about to join but no way am I committing for that

[@sumernoel1553]

As a parent raising the next generation after Z, I appreciate his comments about growing up w social media. I know I definitely wrangle w how I’m going to navigate tech travails as the time comes. I’d say that is one of the biggest issues of our time.

[@cl5619]

Keep your kids from joining US military.

[@Leviathan762-zh4lq]

What you think people didn't know what war was like before social media?

[@janetmelton6890]

Thank you, Matthew, for your perspective! ⚖️🏛️🗽🇺🇸🕊️

[@missusmoon3867]

I grew up poor, but had a career as a Navy Radioman, having the strength to break a glass ceiling for Navy women with the birth of my Bicentennial Baby, and together we saw the world, even together when I was mobilized to serve in London in support of the Gulf War in 1990. A life I loved!

[@GG-kt2uk]

Thank you for your service! Go Navy! 🇺🇲

[@mzhappyfree7688]

Yes a fellow radioman. No one ever shouts us out…. 🙏🏽 what a beautiful time in my life

[@dennisd9554]

I only spent 4 years in the USCG, but 2 of those were as an RM (yes, a 2 year wait for school). I feel that my time being integral to search and rescue ops in Alaska was very formative for me. It definitely taught me how to buckle up and keep cool under pressure. One of the biggest benefits I got was paying only 10% tuition for UCONN when I got out (this is a state benefit separate from GI bill). That allowed me to finish up my bachelor's degree.

[@missusmoon3867]

@@BobthePointer you see a fool, I see a heroine

[@ethanscofield1013]

I’m currently in the Army and the lack of incentive based rewards is a huge thing. People know working harder doesn’t net them anything and it takes a toll on the culture

[@vinhnguyen5135]

Tuberville isn't a selling point?

[@ls-mv9ei]

I hope sincerely that military recruitment falls all over the world!!! We live in a generation where Information is readily available and we know too much about corrupt government and see that we are sacrificing our father, brothers uncles mom's, daughters etc to fight for one ideology that doesn't fit our narrative. We are sick of war and what it does to economies and mental states of our soldiers. Perhaps it's a new era put down the weapons destroying our planet and learn to talk. War IS NEVER A SOLUTION!!

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

as long as Defense Industry Monopolies exist, so will war. They have way too much money and power, and they will push war until autonomous AI war machines exert complete authoritarian rule over the entire earth.

[@samhavoc1066]

Sure, great idea. So only the fanatics, terrorists, and dictatorships with compulsory service have enough recruits. Brilliant plan. War is the solution when those you want to conquer can't oppose you. If your home is invaded by criminals, do you give them a hug and make them a cup of tea?

[@kevinjenner9502]

Illegal wars, occupations, regime change, and proxy wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen.

[@lisabruner7018]

Yes but guess what? Other countries don't believe that and we need our country defended.

[@famousmortimer7933]

You go then Lisa. Take all the strong wamens with you. Us mediocre White men are gonna sit this one out. Diversity is our strength!

[@micclay]

They won't be making $30k until the end of their 1st enlistment on beginning of 2nd. "Free" govt food and a cot in a barracks, doesn't make up for the poverty pay. When the amount of hours worked is calculated, it is far below minimum wage. Most junior enlisted will be janitors, regardless of MOS.

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

Yikes 😳 😬

[@EmperorSenate]

Even soldiers with an MOS that has decent transferability to the civilian world will be tasked out for details or asked to staff a supply room/desk to waste time.

[@stevenjohnson891]

I could never put trust in this country enough to "serve". Having a child in 2020 and watching the country absolutely fail us with no solutions for baby formula was more that enough.

[@TheGoldenPlatoon757]

Why did you have a child in 2020 anyways?

[@mariyagin1244]

Same here. The country HAS TO SERVE ITS PEOPLE AT FIRST PLACE. And then ask for any type of sacrifice

[@CrayonMan731]

@@TheGoldenPlatoon757None of your business

[@CrayonMan731]

@@mariyagin1244Very well said

[@TheGoldenPlatoon757]

@@CrayonMan731 Shut up child.

[@akilipolee]

I'll give you an example I had to wait a year and 4 months to get the care that I need for anxiety levels. I'm still waiting 6 years to have a proper check on my shoulder, in which I have numbing sensation every night from my shoulder to my finger tips. Three occasions in which I lost complete mobility to my arm and my hand during that process. Countless of unanswered phone calls returned, countless of so called follow ups I have been waiting for. Left ear is going out. Vision is impaired. I can keep going but it's pointless how vets are treated, how we are ignored. Every chance I get to see an outside doctor I take it because the VA will only prolong you as long as they can, and dose you with Ibuprofen. I don't want that crap, I need HELP!.

[@mikeaskme3530]

It's no mystery, Young people don't want to serve a country or a government that only serves the rich and corporations.

[@TheGoldenPlatoon757]

It serves no enlisted unless they become officers and even then they don't hold a single candle that serves the rich and politicians.

[@KamiInValhalla]

I will tell you why as someone that considered joining and all i really had left was to sign the contract: the military had nothing really to offer that i was not on my way to achiving myself. Already educated with minimal student loans. Another issue is there is no guarantee i will get an mos in my field of study. The pay is so poor, man i would struggle to pay my bills.

[@JackHawkinswrites]

Who would put their life in the hands of Senator Tubbyville

[@davidrg792]

I've seen every recruitment crisis video under the sun and all mention the SAME 3 stupid issues (obesity, ciminal records, academic under achievement). If you want the REAL reasons read the comments on those videos!!!!

[@Sigmacenturion]

Oh jeez that is terrible you can't gaslight the younger generation into serving foreign interests. 😅

[@danmccarthy2754]

My military time was eye-opening. I grew and became a man that learned, gained knowledge and saw the world.

[@geodude7116]

It doesn’t help having a long history of wrongful wars like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Why would I ever be proud to be in a military with this history?

[@rickycinaz]

Being humiliated treated like garbage in basic, being humiliated treated like garbage in active duty, being humiliated treated like garbage at the VA. No thanks I rather work at McDonald’s.

[@yelleryoung5870]

The former POTUS calling them 'Losers and Suckers' might be a part of this.

[@user-dx1jb4zq9e]

What an utterly idiotic take

[@GLeibniz1716]

And trumpsters deny it!

[@bulkierwriter2772]

Gen Z here aged 24. I won’t fight for garbage.

[@TheGoldenPlatoon757]

Good on you.

[@lilbrother45]

I am a US Navy vet, 91-96. I have discouraged everyone in my family from serving. We will not serve a country that actively hates us. You reap what you sow.

[@Mark-fh5lp]

DO NOT JOIN. Thank me later.

[@lrs7777]

There’s no more VA benefits for life- a problem

[@blakedismukes7066]

How can you look at the homeless vets and want to join especially when illegals get free housing?

[@anthonyroberts2678]

A lot of these people seen how their relatives were treated when they served and they are saying, NO THANKS!!

[@DivineWolfy]

Its because how this country become its not worth fighting for and this young generations sees its not just mental health.

[@richardspillers6282]

Anyone wanna fight for a country where you can't afford to live?

[@imnedmonton]

Thank you for this important story. Stay safe and be well. ♥

[@BoxingStorageChannel]

I was active army, 11B M.O.S., served in 2-28 Black Lions in Pakita Afghanistan from 2011-2012. Any young people reading this, DO NOT enlist, and dodge the draft. You are not fighting for your country, our government is corrupt and wars are for some career politicians bank account rather than "freedom"

[@obitouchiha5305]

I just did 8 years in the service. I’m Hispanic and advice younger Hispanics not to join this crap. We’ll never be one of them.

[@famousmortimer7933]

You’ll never be Japanese either poseur.

[@Arkayden]

Because the military doesn’t pay at all! Plumbers make more money, chefs make more money, it’s a joke!

[@pleiadesstarr453]

Not to mention military is a high risk job.

[@aw8079]

It's a always been a rich man's war, yet the poor do the dying.

[@ginabonina6427]

My mom's rule: after age 18, you either go to college, join the military, get a job and pay rent or get kicked out of the house. It's good to have options.

[@Julian-4]

Your mom wouldn’t have wanted to join if she didn’t. That ridiculous “rule” is nothing but a joke

[@tim3172]

When you put her in a home are you sorting low to high cost and choosing the first or second one?

[@ginabonina6427]

H aha...I don't hold that against her, she did the right thing! My mother is no longer with us. Had she needed full time care, and didn't have the means, I would have made the best arrangements I could manage, someplace near my home. But she was fortunate to have her own savings, insurance benefits and pension received from a lifetime of working & being a productive citizen which allowed her to live her final years in a pretty nice assisted living community. @@tim3172 🦃

[@LoboBrasileiro1]

After seeing how the US treats its vets, I wouldn’t sign up either.

[@jordanfeathers3075]

Gen "Z" grew up with "Endless Wars", and We all know Vets that have been left Behind... Good Luck Receiving Your GI Benefits!

[@danieldinnell4944]

billions of dollars to other countries. . , yet no pay raise for military . . . old veteran

[@zakmendoza8817]

I mean, the poor fighting wars for the rich just doesn’t hit like it used to lol

[@Thunderwalker87]

I come from a multi-generational family that served the US armed forces, the Navy and Marines specifically. My grandfather, who served a bit before WWII all the way through the Vietnam war, and my father who served in the Navy, all wanted me to stay OUT. Wars in their opinion had become too unpopular, political, and poorly managed.

[@swaggboy212able]

We dont care we not fighting YOUR WAR

[@ruthtaylor1450]

Maybe if they moved bases out of states to OTHER states where service members and their families can get the HEALTH CARE they need.

[@michelelearner297]

They're struggling to find solutions to their gaps in recruiting, but meanwhile, it's hard not to conclude that they don't want women at all.

[@user-is7up6ln6m]

Who wants to die in a war or PTSD or lose your legs veteran laying on sidewalk drunk no veteran care

[@Doc5thMech]

Vote against all appropriations for Alabama.

[@lonewolffisherman7092]

With both sides trying to cancel anything that makes them uncomfortable, what is there to fight for? Why would anyone want to stand with people trying to protect ONE PERSON, but do nothing for them? I don't blame them one bit.

[@LostintheTwilightZone]

It is NOT both sides........

[@strayedarticle2838]

​@@LostintheTwilightZoneIt sure is both political parties.

[@lonewolffisherman7092]

@LostintheTwilightZone Yes it is. Republicans trying to cancel the racial disparity in our system and voting. liberals trying to cancel anything they consider offensive.... Liberals and the GOP have more in common then they care to admit. Time for an independent!

[@smeff099]

What's really funny is this officer was asked "when did you enlist?". Pointing out just how disconnected the general population is from what an officer is, and how the process works.

[@user-hb6lr1dv1j]

True

[@jackl4laughs]

I guess decades of being sent to fight pointless wars in the middle east finally caught up with the military. Desperation leads to corruption, and I can only imagine who is slipping through the cracks. Also hard to be enthusiastic about joining the military as Senator Tuberville weakens it.

[@charlesbarkely3021]

Who wants to be in the woke army

[@gabegood8989]

AS IT SHOULD STRUGGLE TO RECRUIT!! UNCLE SAM has proven to generations to be a liar!!

[@8kugelblitz]

Never forget what happened in Afghanistan.

[@joec.9591]

Unfortunately, veterans have been shabbily treated as long as I've been alive. Political party doesn't matter at all. The treatment is atrocious, and the fact that no one wants to join the military is completely understandable.

[@JeffLemmon-kh4nm]

To be expected in a society that “commodifies” almost every aspect of life. Like most of society’s ills, this is a (for lack of a better word) spiritual defect problem.

[@randalmayeux8880]

I know a girl who joined ROTC in college and they paid her tuition and fees. She got a 4 year degree from a private university in nursing and was commissioned a lieutenant in the army upon graduation. In turn, she had to commit to, I think, 3 years of service. She was soon promoted to captain, and left after her obligation was served and got a good job at a local hospital. She had a positive opinion of her experience in the military. This was a a while back, she was a GenXer, and maybe things have changed since then.

[@brianzinner5955]

Let me get this right....this guy has only been serving for 18 months and he has already written a book on what is wrong with the military, and how to improve it? OK then.

[@jeremyfisher8512]

Get paid less than minimum wage in some states, get lackluster health care that takes 8 months to get an appointment, and then have life long back and joint problems afterwards. Maybe if they would pay them more it'd be slightly more worth it.

[@abba4844]

Elites and politicians should take charge by encouraging their children to first enlist. Since defending the country is paramount no one should be left out.

[@bettyboop3206]

The US spends more on military than the next 9 countries combined. Who is the usual agressor? Also, does much of that budget get wasted somewhere?

[@Roh-c8e]

The Marine officer did not mention the present "wokeness" of the military.

[@pleiadesstarr453]

Wouldn't waste my time and energy serving the special interest groups. 👎

[@patwick7351]

Why would they wanna join when theyve had decades to look back on of how the government treats thier soldiers after thier time in war.

[@platzoperson393]

As a veteran I just show them how I'm living. That does the work for em

[@hughjassol2072]

Good. GenZ kids are finally listening to what Millennials have been screaming for years.

[@chuniquepaceno470]

It seems to be a chronic situation with our militaries, habitual inability to meet recruitment goals. With the exception of 9/11, recruitment has always been an issue, so much so that I recall during my 20 that the last thing you wanted to hear when you called the detailer to discuss orders to your next duty station was that your file had already been passed on to the recruiter detailer, meaning you were going to recruiter duty, like it or not. It could be the kiss of death for a First Class hoping to put on Chief if they were unable to meet recruitment expectations, so some of the lies they would tell to convince potential recruits to sign up were legendary. Many fresh-out-of-boot camp sailors were surprised to find no bowling alleys, swimming pools or pool tables onboard ships.