What do you see as the military's greatest challenge in 2023 and why?

The biggest challenge I see is the VA reaching out to finding Vets who are afraid to go to the VA and who need assistance. Why are they afraid? Well, the Vets haven't always been treated with respect and in some places still aren't. There's still a feeling of being locked up because "I have PTSD, shell shocked etc.". We need to do more reaching out to our Vets and letting them know all the many things that are available to them!
Also, educating the public as well as health care, police and others on what our Vets have faced and are still facing.
Thanks for asking for my thoughts and opinions!

The new crt BS and relaxed eligibility requirements,both physical and mental, are destroying the esprit de corps that any military unit must have to be an effective fighting force.

The biggest challenge the military will have is enlistment. With the danger of war, the presidency, and the response to covid our nation's forces have seen great change which may affect the will to join.

The greatest challenge will be recruitment. The military needs to find a balance between "old school" quality and core values while also recognizing the nuances of the next generation work force. However, at the end of the day, a great nation requires warriors! A great nation requires the most qualified candidates, period!

#1 Challenge is reaching those who need help especially those in rural communities and those who do not use or like computers. Helping those who served has been a goal of the VA and it has come a long way. But we need community. A community like the Villages in Florida. No veteran should be homeless, unless they want to. Help should be available. Especially a community for fellow veterans to live, share and support each other. From individual homes, condo's, to apartments for assisted living and nursing homes all in one community. Rec centers, VA clinics and other resources within the complex. Lets help each other as we age ... let's be there for each other.

I think the #1 Challenge is to reach the people who have served and need assistance especially in rural areas. This would specifically be older veterans who may not have access to transportation to attend a VA facility or able to benefit from the VA Services. I think many venues are available now to Veterans but the website isn't easy to navigate, many older veterans hate use computers and yet most services, especially since COVID, have been pushed to on-line. The VA spends millions on a multitude of events, presentations etc. What is really useful? I don't know because most of them seem worthless. What would be awesome would be to start Veteran communities in different states. In Florida there is a widow's home. What the VA needs is a community that would include homes for Veterans who can be independent, assisted living and nursing home care all in one community. There are many Veterans who are homeless and need help. I don't know why that happens, lack of responsibility on their part, life choices, economy, drugs etc. But a supportive community could help many of them. Would it cost a lot? Yes, but if you can afford to buy - you buy ... if you can't you get a room and you have to take care of it or you get kicked out. Nothing should ever be totally FREE. Many of us have no family, friends - yes - but they have their own families and don't want bothered with us who have served and lost so much. A place where there is understanding and compassion. Veteran's helping veterans in a community where the focus would be healthy interactions, VA clinics, rec centers. Sort of like the community at the Villages in Florida -- but you have to be a Veteran. Spouses have other resources but the Veteran needs a village especially as we age.

Patriotism, less and less want to answer the call for their country and take some things for granted!

Sexual harassment… sexual assault… lack of proper accountability… sexism….wrong people in positions of power!

Recruiting committed candidates

It’s sad to say but the military in general has gotten soft and the soldiers that join are even softer. Now soldiers care more for the title of being able to say oh I’m a soldier but I’m not going to war. I have a cousin who joined the Air Force but he care more about Veterans Day than he do about the military and I just shake my head in disbelief because these are the people that we’re trusting to lead our country in war.