It’s interesting reading about the US military and recruitment trends online, particularly the stuff that’s more “internal” discussions (and contrasting to some popular narratives).
First, there’s the issue of with the military’s minimum standards, both physically and mentally (with, AIUI, increases in stringency on the latter, especially ASVAB scores),[1] and how a large and rising fraction of American men fail these standards.
Second, there’s how those who do meet the standards often find they have more financially remunerative alternatives[2]. Thus, a larger fraction of recruits pursue military careers for reasons other than the financial benefits.
And, third, I keep seeing, only in asides — without hard figures — in other discussions, with faintly worried tones, about how an increasing fraction of new recruits are the children of soldiers.
Me, I look at these trends, and see them all as good things.
[1]As opposed to view often held by people I encounter in which our soldiers are mostly meatheads in the military due to being too stupid for any other lawful employment.
[2]Particularly in those areas where minimum wages have been increased, though these being very “Blue Tribe” urban locales, military recruitment was not exactly that high to begin with.
