The military has been a warrior's outlet since the beginning of society when man first learned about agriculture and in turn how to govern such resources (The Development of Agriculture). It serves an important function and provides a sense of honor and a noble pathway for development. Recruitment woes are apparent but I believe that Leadership and Business Community can help strengthen our military. This help comes in the form of changing their perceptions so as to ensure the military functions at its highest state and fosters broad cross-generational support.
Let me say that I am a biased person and respect the military and its offerings. For those of us not born with a silver spoon in our mouth, part of the gilded rich, or who don't have the social connections to obtain the best opportunities.....the military is one path for them. I have learned that life is often less than fair to many so when you have opportunities just go and grab them!
If a motivated person maximizes what the military can teach them in terms of skill, leadership, and commitment they are likely to go far in life.
Let us first look at the problem...
New Poll Spells Trouble for US Military Recruitment Woes
1. Low Trust in Institutions
2. Different Lives and Alternative Employment.
3. Strong Economy
4. Didn't think of the military as a career path.
5. Increasing use of digital media and changing methods.
Leadership Perception: Leadership is important for improving institutional trust. Hyper politics over the past decade or so has tainted how younger generations might see some of these institutions. It isn't the institutions themselves as they still maintain their important and necessary purpose to society. The issue may be more of how they view national leadership and the decisions they make over these institutions.
The military was designed at its root to defend our liberties. Most of the major decisions are made outside the military in the legislative or executive arenas (Its not party or role specific but a general leadership conception.) That purpose has been in the past extended beyond its initial purposes. It is possible, no matter how remote it seems as an explanation, that the issue of military recruitment challenges comes from the perception of politics and lack of reflective dialogue at the top; not the military itself (collectively).
(Of course, every institution can get better and more adaptive but that may not be the central to recruitment issues.)
Of course, we can't say if that the issues are more of leadership perception or not but we cannot definitively rule it out as a conceptually blended influencing factor. Because other institutions seem to be having the same problem of trust, which has been on a general declining trend, it is something that we might want to explore for solution generation (i.e. the purpose of politics as a free speech solution generator. Politics is not about getting what you want or pressing blind buttons. It is about making strategic decisions in the best interest of the nation.).
You may want to read Leadership Branding and Leadership and Commitment
Awareness of Opportunity: Businesses can further support the military by hiring vets and encouraging young to join a noble service. The soft and hard skills learned in the military should be highly sought after in the business world. There is nothing common about most of our vets and the skills they learned. They have unique skills.
The business community and the military are also very connected to each other for long term success. The military is reliant on the economy and the economy is reliant on security. If one or the other is too weak or disjointed it will reduce their capacities. Knowledge flows between the two so therein lies opportunities to learn from each other.
For some time I have talked about the value of human capital in the modern world. Likewise, I look at clusters and how they can impact economic development in industries; military, or civilian arenas. Economic Development and Military Effectiveness
Theoretical dribble, dribble, and feel free to formulate your own opinion. World Happiness Report 2024
If you're one of those people who want to serve their nation and do some interesting stuff in your life consider Calling a Recruiter. If you are more scientific in orientation try Science and Military They need good people who want to further our national interests.
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