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

I believe that the military's greatest challenge will be getting the number needed of qualified, motivated and physically fit recruits. Unfortunately our society is creating a generation weak minded and unpatriotic teens in the face of the increasing threat from our enemies is a disaster waiting to happen.

'Casualties' among my brethren from known sources of disinformation is undermining our strengths and cohesiveness of a 'ready' military. Given this frighteningly escalated number of breached 'security' and those 'radicalized' by disinformation, our immediate aim has to be a top down re-evaluation and re-training in recognizing propagandized 'material', outlets, and objectives. After the Jan. 6th insurrection (in which scores of Veterans 'participated' in), as well as recent 'leaks' of intelligence perpetrated by Active military and/or veterans, the dishonor is a weight that I'm personally embarrassed by. As an honorably discharged vet, I'm tired of bearing that load. It doesn't take a PhD to recognize the harm this 'dishonor' has done to the U.S. military on a worldwide stage. 2023 has to be an awakening amongst our military academies, General staff, and cadre at all levels. "The only thing necessary for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing." #WokeVet

Being able to respond with Naval force to the ongoing threats from Russia,China and a few hidden enemy countries.

Staying Combat ready and avoiding the politically correct woke agenda .

The sum of its parts (challenges) the military faces in 2023 is the danger of insufficient funding by Congress. Inadequate funding severely affects our military's critical programs and operations in maintaining strategic advantages. There are too many vital programs of responsibility that can harm our country, especially now with dictators stirring the pot. There is no war in Ukraine; it is a Russian invasion that Ukraine is defending. A weak link in the chain can escalate across the 360-degree spectrum of national security.

Cybersecurity, with the advancement of Artificial Intelligence, is a menace now and will grow exponentially as government actors and hackers spy, steal, damage, supply misinformation, or create leaks causing imminent crises to our national security.

Insufficient funding is present now, preventing financial budget sabotage of our country. Sometimes, enemies are in and out without notice, planting spyware or extracting sensitive strategic or classified defense information. Military personnel can also steal personal and sensitive information to destroy their character and finances or be recruited. Funding is needed to prevent disruption of critical infrastructure and stop the theft of sensitive information that would compromise military communications and control systems, which impacts the efficiencies of military readiness.

The danger of misinformation is at an all-time high! During WWII, it played a significant role in the success of the Allied forces, and now it threatens our modern world through social media, especially during times of crisis. This deception can distort public opinion, damage morale, and even jeopardize military operations, leaving us vulnerable to attack.

Our national defense systems, such as missile defenses and satellites, are at risk of being compromised, severely limiting our military response capabilities. Furthermore, disruptions to essential infrastructure like water, food, and electrical supply could gravely affect our national security and economy. Immediate action is required to combat this growing threat!

Martin Luther said, "We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in this nation's great vaults of opportunity." I add that funding the sum of all the vital parts of military duties and operations allows the military to anticipate evolving high-tech and imminent global threats. Elected officials unaware of the big picture of national defense need never-ending exposure to the danger of insufficient funding for our military.

Taking care of veterans when they come home.

Our leadership on high has forgotten what we as veterans and military personnel sworn to protect and defend. The children in today society are being indoctrinated into a society that is not a democracy that our forefathers brought about. This is becoming a country that I am sad to say I come from when we lose respect for our past and not learn from it. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are more the just pieces of paper it is what people die for to write. We are to defend foreign and domestic. Well we have been seeing the domestic when are we going to start acting with our voices. Our children need to be protected and the woke young adults need to have us old one take them over our knees and give them a good spanking to show them that hard work and pride it is what works in society not this give me attitude. God, Family and Freedom were the very values that made our country great. When we started take that away looks at how far we have fallen. Children not allow to bring their Bible to school in fear of being attacked being told they can choose what sex they are when you are born with one or another. Please prayer for our country.

Leadership driven to emphasize Wokeness at the expense of readiness.

Finding and keeping potential Recruits interested in joining our Armed Forces. Most are seeing how their Fathers, Mothers, Grandparents, Brothers and Sisters are having to fight to obtain and receive Healthcare, Compensation, Education, and Disability Benefits they were all initially promised. Why is that? After decades of giving and serving to protect the basic fundamental rights afforded to every American Citizen. That is our Freedom! Why now must every Veteran prove that they have a medical debilitating condition that makes them unable to maintain gainfull employment, and perform their daily tasks and take care of their respective Families. Our founding Fathers would not have allowed this happen. If anything more needs to be done, to right this wrong and ensure it never happens again!

There has been a progressive weakening of our military since the completion of the Gulf War. We have become a military of public opinion instead of a force governed by "Good order and discipline." I joined enlisted and retired as an officer and in my 26 tenure I have observed leadership change their core values to align more with politicians and public opinion than with the personnel they govern. I have also seen new personnel enlist or commission who view the military as "just a job" with no commitment or ownership. I am very concerned that our force will not be mentally ready (or dedicated enough) to handle a conflict with a much more disciplined China or North Korean threat or a honed Soviet Threat.