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

The greatest challenge in 2023 for the military is my mind is Russia. The power that Russia involves a spiritual power that rest of the world knows little about, but it had been revealed in Fatima in 1917 and is continuing to unfold.

Our country is seems to focus more on any issue that divides us as a nation these days and it’s only getting worse. I fear that as years pass young people will not view our nation as something worth the extreme sacrifice that military service requires much less being something they are willing to die to protect. I pray I’m wrong. In other words, I think getting average youngsters with few options to join will continue to get more difficult. Getting the high quality, driven, ones to forego college or a good job to join may become nearly impossible.
We are already faced with a situation where recruits are turned away in record numbers because of the inability to pass the PT test and get within the weight standards.

So eventually, the military will lower all the standards so these sub par individuals can join and those same ones before long will be in leadership positions.
We will always have patriots that will join and we will have high quality soldiers, just not enough.

I pray this is not how things go but it is a strong possibility

Recruitment of QUALITY humans. I feel like the Army in particular has softened with the current generation.

Today's young adults are physically unfit and could care less about actually working. If it was just simulation games, they'd be all for it. They don't take responsibility seriously, much less have respect for our great nation!! Schools believe in: No child left behind. Well, I believe they are being left behind, when they can't sign their own name and the cash register tells them the correct change because they can't do simple math!!!! You try to give them $21.59, when the total is $11.59, they don't understand you want a $10 bill, instead of more change. I need to go back to teaching reading, writing and arithmetic!! Plus gym!!

Woke garbage

Due to misinformation with the media, burn pit aftermath and what happened on the botched exit from Afghanistan, I think trust is the biggest issue

Trust

What happened today in Massachusetts reminds us how important and challenging this topic is for our military: cyber attacks. They pose a significant challenge for the military due to their remote nature, the potential for substantial damage to infrastructure, difficulty in detection, a wide range of potential attackers, and constantly evolving tactics. Effective cybersecurity measures are crucial to ensuring military operations can continue to operate effectively in the modern digital age.

Military discipline is the key to an effective fighting force. The military core values must not be dwindled during this period of low recruitment. Small and effective fleet, battalions, along with our Allie’s must continue to thrive on training to deter any adversaries.

Retention. So many National Guard and Reserve soldiers/veterans have been faced with debt (VA comp/drill over payment) and are basically drilling "for free"; or if they are continuously getting paid, it is adding to the debt and will be more they will have to pay back later. This stresses and strains the soldiers and their families. This pushes them to get out early because who wants to stay enlisted when it is causing them money. Then there are so many incentives for new recruits (which it should be) but none for the older soldiers that have 15+ years to stay in because you assume they will stay to get their 20 years. The older soldiers are needed just as much as the young soldiers...if not more. I was a recruiter, I was part of a line unit, and I also was a part of a TTOE. I have seen some of the youngest members of the Armed Forces and from what I have seen over the years the older soldiers are definitely needed to mold and help guide these young soldiers. I believe that they should at least waive the VA/drill overpayment for soldiers as a mean of incentive to improve retention.