…Researched and contributed by Gift BADEWO.
Recruitment Crisis in the US Military Due to Overweight, Drug Use, and Mental Health Issues
The US military is currently experiencing a recruitment crisis, with most young Americans being disqualified due to being overweight, habitual drug users, or suffering from mental health problems.
A new report from the Pentagon reveals that the two fastest-growing barriers for army recruitment between 2013 and 2020 were mental health conditions and excess weight, leaving just 23% fit to join.
The Pentagon’s Qualified Military Available Study of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 shows that when considering youth disqualified for one reason alone, the most prevalent disqualification rates are due to overweight (11%), drug and alcohol abuse (8%), and medical/physical health (7%).
It also indicates that 44% of rejected recruits were disqualified for multiple reasons rather than for only one issue.
Challenges of Recruiting New Military Members
Major Charlie Dietz, a spokesman for the US Department of Defence, stated that the study confirmed the challenges of recruiting new military members.
He explained that there are many factors that they are navigating through, such as the fact that youth are more disconnected and disinterested compared to previous generations.
He added that the declining veteran population and shrinking military footprint has contributed to a market that is unfamiliar with military service resulting in an over-reliance on military stereotypes.
Recruiting Mission Falling Far Short of Targets
A Pentagon statement issued in September warned that numbers were falling far short of their targets.
Despite accessing more than 170,000 remarkable young men and women in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the Department anticipates missing its recruiting mission.
Stephanie Miller, deputy assistant secretary of defence for military personnel policy, told the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee that this constitutes an unprecedented mission gap and is a reason for concern.
Recruiters’ Insistence on Covid-19 Vaccinations Hindering Recruitment
Elise Stefanik, the Republican Party representative for New York, claimed that recruiters’ insistence on Covid-19 vaccinations was standing in the way of many people joining up.
She argued that the Biden Administration’s authoritarian COVID vaccine mandate on servicemen and women had weakened military recruitment and impaired military ranks.
Stefanik emphasized the importance of providing a strong national defense and was proud to bring an end to the vaccine mandate.