Last fiscal year, all of the US armed forces other than the Marine Corps and the tiny Space Force failed to hit their recruiting goals. The Navy missed a target of 37,700 by roughly 6,000 — and yet is hoping to bring in an even higher number of recruits this year to fill out total ranks of nearly 340,000. Similarly, the Army hoped to bring in 60,000 but fell 15,000 short. The Air Force and Coast Guard did a bit better, but likewise did not achieve their goals.

These recruiting shortfalls are occurring even as global missions for America’s armed forces are increasing. With the US backing up Ukraine and Israel in active combat and seeking to deter China from moving aggressively toward Taiwan, the operational pressures on all the services are rising. Navy aircraft carriers, for example, have been routinely extending their forward operational deployments from the traditional six months to eight or more, which stresses retention and recruiting. It’s understandable that few people want to live on a crowded steel ship with 5,000 people and sail away from loved ones for close to a year.

QOSHE - Uncle Sam Wants You But He Needs a Norwegian Sales Pitch - James Stavridis
menu_open
Columnists Actual . Favourites . Archive
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close
Aa Aa Aa
- A +

Uncle Sam Wants You But He Needs a Norwegian Sales Pitch

7 0
14.02.2024

Last fiscal year, all of the US armed forces other than the Marine Corps and the tiny Space Force failed to hit their recruiting goals. The Navy missed a target of 37,700 by roughly 6,000 — and yet is hoping to bring in an even higher number of recruits this year........

© Bloomberg

Get it on Google Play