Members in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), attend a muster at La Jolla, Calif., March 26, 2022. The muster was held to screen designated IRR members to ensure mobilization readiness and train Readiness Support Program Region One for mobilization operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Grace J. Kindred)
The Commission on the National Defense Strategy released its report this week, claiming the United States faces the most challenging global environment since the end of the Cold War -and it’s only getting worse.
In the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress created the Commission on the National Defense Strategy as an independent body charged with assessing the 2022 National Defense Strategy.
The report claims the Department of Defense is failing to recruit servicemembers and civilian contractors effectively, spend efficiently, and is not capable of handling national defense alone.
“Recruiting failures have shrunk the force and raise serious questions about the all-volunteer force in peacetime, let alone in major combat,” the report states.
The Marine Corps and the Space Force were the only two branches of service to meet their 2023 active
duty recruiting goals.
The report mentions the lack of qualified candidates as a major issue contributing to the branches falling short of their recruiting numbers but states the “lack of interest in military service” is even more concerning.
“Even more concerning is the lack of interest in military service for qualified individuals,
which has been exacerbated by public narratives related to the dangers of military service, difficulties in transitioning from military to civilian life, the unclear value proposition of military
service on future educational and career prospects, and a lack of familiarity with military service
for much of the population,” the report states.
Creating Narratives on Social Media
The Commission highlighted the failures of stip mall-based recruiting centers and billboard advertising.
“Recruiters should make better use of social media to engage younger Americans, leveraging online platforms such as YouTube, which is used by approximately 95 percent of teens,” the report suggests.
The Commission states Americans “must understand” the value of serving in the military and as a civilian.
They suggest the creation of narratives highlighting how service to the nation contributes to society.
“Leveraging social media to promote this narrative will ensure broader reach and engage new communities,” the Commission claims.
They also suggested targeting older Americans to serve, such as those with work experience that could benefit the force.
Changing Standards
According to the 2020 Pentagon study, only 23 percent of Americans meet the minimum eligibility requirements for military service.
To broaden this pool of candidates, the Commission suggests changing the standards for military service.
“The need to waive requirements to enable eligibility suggests that military standards need modification. This may require changes to the medical conditions that are allowable for enlistment and reenlistment or placing personnel in military career fields that are appropriate for their conditions in order to allow them to serve.”
Drafting civilians
With the likelihood of years-long simultaneous conflicts, the Commission believes the current size of the force may be too small.
It suggests the Department of Defense should work with the Executive Branch to consider and prepare for “mandatory mobilization.”
“Although such a consideration potentially is politically volatile, DoD should, in conjunction with other elements of the executive branch, consider what mandatory mobilization means and would entail. Doing so would strengthen U.S. preparedness for future conflict and, in the process, bolster deterrence.”
“DoD should name an executive agent for mobilization and that DoD should lead exercises in
peacetime to practice and identify shortcomings in the Selective Service System.”
The Selective Service System was founded in 1917 and maintains a database of registered male U.S. citizens and other U.S. residents potentially subject to military conscription.
Almost all male US citizens and male immigrants (including undocumented), who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service.
There are few exemptions but some include those who are handicapped, imprisoned, and those are were born female but identify as male.
The entire Commission on the National Defense Strategy report can be read here.
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