What should we do to encourage the next generation to serve?

Bring back responsible recruiters in schools. Let them show cool commercials on a big screen at a high school gym. Let them talk about patriotism, and talk incentives. Hell, let the recruiter be part of a high school, even. Put his office either next to or in the school, since most of his or her recruits will be high schoolers anyway. Showing your face a lot will get people more acquainted with you, and therefore might bring it more people.

We need to get the message across that democracy is in danger around the globe. Chine, Russia, North Korea and other nations want to run things their way. The US cannot let them win, and we must maintain a strong military to accomplish that. But we need make sure that those in the military are not having financial problems due to low pay and inadequate housing. And there must be more ongoing training to help all military members have the opportunity to rise in rank and take on new challenges.

If you want good recruits, like GOOD recruits, then STOP ALLOWING PEOPLE TO THINK OF THEMSELVES, AND ACT, AS VICTIMS! Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, & Marines sign on because they want to be part of a proud and winning team! By allowing shitty teachers and worthless parents to continue to teach and instill upon the latest generation that they are "less than" or "not good enough", they are rearing cowards and selfish twits. We need to stop this at the SOURCE, and teach our children how to have pride, honor, and personal courage. They need to know that they are not only good enough, they are THE BEST! Our children are not only the future of our bloodlines, they are the FUTURE OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY!! So, in summation, if you want great, bright, and amazing Servicemen, then by God RAISE 'EM RIGHT!! Don't allow them to be indoctrinated to drink the Kool-Aid of mediocrity and victimhood. Raise them to be the BEST, GREATEST, AND MOST AMAZING people that they can be!! If we as a country can manage to do that, only THEN will we have the Military, Government, and Country that we as Americans rightfully deserve!

Require nearest military unit to send military vehicle and a 10 person team to city center for Physical Training. Encourage schools to send entire high school PE classes to see military work out and military equipment.

That’s easy, you can show the new generation that you can take care of them post service by doing it now; meaning, increase veterans benefits to a level where they are in the 6 digit range salary wise. Serving only post pones your civilian life and if you get hurt, you are not entitled to jobs that healthy civilians apply for, no matter what laws are out there regarding preferences. Employers will still NOT hire disabled veterans and will always choose the healthy candidate who never served. If you cannot increase veterans benefits to where 100% is at least 10k a month, you will not have shown this new generation, woke or not, that you will take care of them lost service and also show them that you can compensate them salary wise because serving nowadays is just not worth it when the government laughs at minorities and praises racist nationalists, to include the former president. This country has become a joke and no one wants to serve under a racist president who clearly displays it to the world. In conclusion, increase veterans benefits 2.5 fold and make healthcare care free no matter what for veterans and you will have your numbers increase. If you cannot do this neither I or the next guy will be telling people or convincing people to serve. That would be the equivalent of giving them a death sentence and if they survive that, giving them a limited future where they have to beg for benefits to stay relevant in todays society.

I would tell them it’s the one of the most rewarding things to do. You get opportunities to make friends you usually wouldn’t in your hometown. I would also say, you’ll make the best friends you’ll have for probably the rest of your life. You’ll travel and make ton of memories. Not to mention you’ll have job security for the next 4 years and steady paycheck.

better pay

I am not doing this for the sweepstakes.

After serving for the past 23 years and having retired last month, I can tell you in simple words. "We" do not treat people well.

If I can go to college for free, get paid a decent wage, and have affordable Healthcare through Starbucks (or about 50+ organizations). Why would I work for an organization that treats many like s#$t?

If you had a one-and-done, 20-year, 30-year, or 40-year career and haven't had to experience the bad, then I am happy for you. And more power to you. I have seen too many soldiers kill themselves because of treatment from "leaders" (and some behavioral health, yes). I have watched individuals blatantly harass, use derogatory terms, be openly sexist, lie on sworn statements, and purposely place the safety and health of others at risk, which was unrelated to the mission. And then attempt to cover it up.

While I wish that this next generation, or for some of us, our children, were all patriotic and wanted to serve like many in the past did. This is not that group of young adults.

I have seen the recruitment commercials, and my 20-year-old says that it missed the mark with his generation. And he is not part of the "wokeness" that some believe has affected our ranks. Nor does he lack intelligence as he graduates next year.

If we genuinely want numbers again, two things can happen. Take care of the mission while ensuring you care for the one doing it. Some people don't have emotional intelligence or an empathetic side, and that's cool. But invest in your soldiers, their families, and hobbies. Or start a draft.

Another thing we could be doing better is telling a good story of serving out of all the people I have watched, ETS or retire. They all said similar things. I am ready; this is too much; I can't do this anymore, or If I'm going to get pooped on, at least I want to get paid for it. Realistically, the benefits do not compare to what private or corporate organizations can offer (a private getting paid minimum wage would make roughly 3600 a month; however, a Private makes 1900). So the only thing to offer is instilling core values and attributes, a sense of pride, or something similar, and treating them well.

Stop lying from the start about what the service to your country entails. Give them real issues and options and to be aware of themselves before committing your livelihood to Uncle Sam. I really think recruiters shouldn't be allowed to even engage a person under the age of twenty-one. They shouldn't feel pressured to serve just getting out of highschool. The immaturity in body, mind, and responsibility isn't yet developed to make such a commitment. I'd say stay away from the teenagers, and look for people who are over twenty-one and have already considered other life choices first. Well that's my opinion because I wish the recruiter never came to my school, and fed me alot of BS to join the military. In the end it didn't help me at all in any way that was positive, and I felt my youth slipping away faster than I can breathe.

Most of the youth has been hand fed things. Many parents are afraid to say no because they do not want them to miss out on something. Many of these youth think that on the first day of work they are entitled to the same benefits of a 20 year employee/veteran. They need to understand that this is something that comes at a cost, and it needs to be continously fought for. There should be a pride in someone to protect that which is precious.