Falling Short

[HARDCORE]

3-1-2024

From what I have read - recruitment within “Our Armed Forces” is falling short and this at a time “when world tensions are still at the boil!” So what is going on, and how can we combat the mounting apathy that apparently is sweeping across our entire nation?

The need for an effective, deadly, well supplied, and well-manned military, is always at the forefront of our security! And to even consider the depletion of our armed forces is a fool’s errand that has decimated many a world power in times past! And to openly advertise any such deficiencies within our military, and to put these figures out there for the world to see, is, in my opinion, as dumb as the proverbial post!

But in my opinion again, we are still the greatest of all terrestrial nations, but only a damn fool advertises any of his shortcomings or his deficiencies, for the whole world to see! And of what need is military intelligence, if our own government is going to advertise our lack of marshal preparedness and parade it for the whole (unfriendly) world to view? But we are still the mighty and indomitable “United States of America”, but only “A Stupid Jerk” gives his foes more intelligence, and information, than he possibly has to!!

(In My Own Dumb-Ass Opinion)

Hardcore

[Boats]

Companies and Universities Can Help Reverse Military Recruiting Shortfalls Threatening America's National Security
By: Military.com | By James R. Schenck and Kathleen T. Jabs
Published February 06, 2024 at 9:47am ET

Photo link: https://www.military.com/sites/defau...?itok=PAZnR7B5
-
U.S. Army Col. Scott Smith, Virginia National Guard commander, recites the oath of enlistment ceremony for U.S. Air Force
and U.S. Army recruits at the College of William & Mary military appreciation game at Zable Stadium in Williamsburg, Va.,
Nov. 19, 2016.
(By: Kaylee Dubois/U.S. Air Force)

The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com.
If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com
for consideration.

Military recruiting shortfalls threaten our national security during a critical time as two wars that could quickly escalate
are being waged.

[Why aren't high school and college students today considering a career or even a term in the military? As veterans of the
Army and Navy, we know the value of service and the diverse skills and backgrounds of our fellow service members,
including people from every community, ethnicity and economic status, united in their commitment to support and
defend the United States.

The Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard all missed their recruiting targets last year, while the Marine Corps and
Space Force narrowly met theirs. The National Guard is seeing shortages at all ranks and in all states.

Employers and universities can help address our recruiting shortfalls by providing transition assistance to those who have
served our nation. We need to ensure young people feel confident about their military training and service and highlight
how it leads to quality post-military careers and the opportunity to attend college and earn a first or advanced degree.]
(Note: I've wondered why they don't do that anymore as well)

More young people will take the step to join and serve when they understand how incredibly valuable military service is
for personal and professional development.

Wherever they are assigned -- in a helicopter squadron, on a ship, or as part of a cyber or drone crew -- today's military
members learn new cutting-edge skills. They learn hard technical skills required for their position, and the more nuanced
soft skills that are critical in today's competitive workplaces. Military service members know how to plan, be flexible, reliable,
dependable and accountable. They also know how to work as part of a team.

Integrity, discipline and the ability to get along with others are not buzzwords when you're living in close quarters and
training to fight and defend your country. These are the ethos of military service and the values that give life purpose,
meaning, focus and direction.

By the time a service member decides to leave the military, they have experienced and practiced different leadership styles
and been assigned tremendous responsibility for people and equipment, often under arduous conditions and in austere and
even hostile environments. They have an ingrained sense of purpose and commitment to mission success that is in their DNA.

These experiences don't often translate into neat resumé bullets. It can be hard to summarize acquired skills and experiences,
as well as articulate value and grit, especially when automation and keywords drive a talent search. That's why it's important
for corporations and universities to build military talent connection pipelines.

With the right coaching, mentorship, education and training on how to apply their skills to new environments, veterans have
the potential to transform companies and communities. As leaders, we can set goals to accelerate veteran transition, provide
avenues to launch veterans on corporate career pathways, and build a mentorship pipeline between C-suite leaders and
transitioning military members.

Forming partnerships to stake out pathways for veterans is one way to highlight the value of military service as well as to
improve corporate bottom lines and talent pools. We can inspire the next round of military recruits and encourage support
for their decision to join with an even brighter future following their service.

At PenFed, our Military Employment Program offers comprehensive support for transitioning service members and their families.
At William & Mary, we have developed a specialized Veteran to Executive Transition (VET) class for high-performing transitioning
military members.

As Americans, we have a shared interest in maintaining a strong military to ensure our national defense. As leaders at
corporations and universities, we have the power to inspire the next generation of young people who will defend our freedom
and continue to serve as leaders throughout their careers. Military talent brings incredible value to our organizations,
and we encourage leaders to support and hire our nation's veterans. It's both an investment in your institution and our
national security.

- James R. Schenck is the president and CEO of PenFed Credit Union and CEO of the PenFed Foundation. He is a U.S.
Military Academy graduate and served as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army.

- Kathleen T. Jabs is special assistant to the president for military and veterans affairs at William & Mary. The former acting
secretary of veterans and defense affairs for the Commonwealth of Virginia, she is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and retired
Navy captain.

Related Topics: Tags: Military Headlines Opinion Recruit
---------------------------------------------------------------------------Personal note: see below:
-
Now these are my thoughts only. When NAM broke out the draft was
still in place. It's the best thing that ever happen to me was I enlisted -
they asked me what I'd like to do and what branch did I want to enlist
in? I really didn't know - but after watching Victory At Sea for
many years - and my one Uncle Lee who was USN during WWII.
-
We didn't have the money for college - the draft was still going on and
I didn't want stay behind so I decided to enlist.
I had many options and really didn't know what service
I wanted to go into. I was a skinny kid then not overly bright
but passed all the test they gave me and said what do you
want to do in the service? I took the Navy because I wanted
to go sea ever since I was a kid - after I had watched Victory
at Sea for so long and I also could swim - whereas many
couldn't.
-
I want to be a SeaBee but were no openings. I said - give me
Sea Duty and so it began.
-
Boot Camp - was 15-16 weeks I think. Graduation was witnessed by
my Parents and I got my duty assignment and was stationed in
FAETUPAC Det 2 - got a security clearance (mandatory) at training
school for pilots on ASW (Anti-Submarine-Warfare) planes on Carriers
and land Bases around the globe.
-
The service took this (somewhat skinny kid) a High School kid
(we didn't have money for college). So I took a series of written
test and physical test background checks - and passed all the
athletics.
-
Boot Camp was ~ 16 weeks. I got my posting and went home
for a couple weeks and got my assignment via the mail - along
with passport & flight tickets.
-
After six months they posted they needed volunteer's for NAM.
I was the first to sign up and off I went to San Diego, CA. to P.I.
to catch my ship. Then off to Da Nang [NAM] from there. I moved
from freighters - 50 caliber bow gunner, to carriers.
-
Got re-assigned to work the flight deck in the V4 Div. AV-Gas & JP-4
& 5 aviation fuels Div. I did two tours to NAM and my girl friend back
home said she wouldn't wait for me to come home a box. So after
12 years I pulled the plug - I wanted to do 20 years for a full
retirement pension - and full VA medical coverage benefits!
-
So there it is - we lost lost several guys during my tours
and I lost my Brother and 5-guys from our neighborhood.
-
It was the best thing I ever did in my life. Now a Life Member
of VFW Post 6448 - Dyer, IN. right across the street from a
hospital.
-
At home I fly my US Flag 24-7 - 365 Days a year.
-
Been married 52+ years now - we have two Daughters' -
and three Grandkids - all grown up now.
-
Currently my wife has an incurable medical condition and suffers
terribly from idiopathic neuropathy - she's degraded so much
and there is no cure for her condition per the specialist!
Sad to see her suffer so badly. Tells me she just wants to die -
it breaks my heart to see her conditions cause such degradation
to her entire body - there is no cure! Medications allow her to
sleep but she's frail and lost much of her weight!
-
God Bless you all - God Bless our Troops - Lord keep them all
safe - and should they pass - they will never be forgotten!
-
Boats