Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a speech at Washington's Mayflower hotel that people influential in young people's lives don't encourage them to join the armed forces. Recruiting is down because of it, he said, and he also faulted the military for not doing a better job of attracting young men and women.
iCitizenForum asked Mullen, who advocates increased military spending and expanding troop numbers, whether the Pentagon can sign up a young generation. Mullen said he believes people want to improve themselves and that the military gives recruits not only that opportunity but a chance to do good for others. Mullen said military service is noble.
Do today's young people see the military as a force for good? Can a new generation be encouraged to join the ranks?
We civilians, unlike the World War II generation, are not being asked to sacrifice to win this war. What event will it take to make us realize it? History indicates that the best defense is a good offense. If we have no defense we have no country.
Today’s generation definitely sees the military as a good force because they were affected by 9/11. Most of the men and women in the military now, distinctly remember the 9/11 attacks. Growing up with that, they want to try and make the country better not only for themselves, but for their kids. If they know that they can prevent another disaster like that, then they will always think the military is a good force.
Also, most men and women in the military have had parents that served for the United States and grew up loving and supporting the country. That whole mentality is passed down through out generations. Having a former Marine for a father, I too think that the military is a great forcer and would have loved to have been a part of it. As long as we keep this way of thinking then the new generations will feel just the same or more strong about being part of the ranks. Our country is based on freedom and no one, no matter what generation, wants that to be taken from them and will do whatever it takes to keep it.
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