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

To recruit the younger generation, enhance the recruiting websites to include all jobs and a discrption. Have all locations of service, especially overseas. Recruiters could help establish an enlistment plan. For example if a new Marine saw MSG Duty on the website and wanted to be at an embassy in Europe the recruiter or website could help them plan how to do it when they get to the fleet. The military has a lot of interesting and exciting posts and opportunities they just aren't readily known and if they are they aren't shared properly by command.

This generation is the same as every other generation, in the sense that they want a sense of purpose. They want a Headstart on life with all the benefits that the military provides. So that’s how you get them to join the military by showing them and telling them what the military has to offer which will intern make them see what they have to offer in the military. It’s not a complicated situation or motivation. By recognizing that we all have some thing in common, regardless of the small nuances of sexual orientation, gender identity in the military at the end of the day that doesn’t matter, because when you deploy or or in situations where someone’s life is at stake, those don’t matter. What matters is that? We are Americans we are human beings, and there is a mission that needs to be accomplished. And by setting goals with the next generation, it will improve military recruitment.

Our country is in a difficult spot nowadays. Parents do not encourage their children to give back, just to receive. Perhaps we should be like some countries with a mandatory 2 year service commitment to develop this in our young people. It could be the military, PEACE corps or some other way of giving back.

Highlight some successful servicemen/servicewomen that can share how vital their military experience was in their success.

Convincing the next generation to serve isn't really an issue. There will always be some pushback from teens, then you say to them, "Either go to college, start a business, or join the military upon graduation from highschool." Getting them to realize that college tuition and loans is not the way either. Getting to underatand that what they do in service will give them ideas for careers later in life is critical, plus they get all the training for free.

It is very important to teach and show this generation of young people that serving their country should be a priority in keeping our country safe and strong. I served our country in Vietnam and taught JROTC to cadets in high school. What we focused on was making young people better citizens through honor, integrity, dedication and a passion keep America a free and prospering nation. There is nothing more gratifying than a young person establishing themselves through wearing a military uniform while maturing as a part of this great country. Also, the benefit of military service allows for a future of leading others in the civilian world, free education and being paid at a young age for services rendered. For those young people who make a career out the military, once they retire, they have at least retirement benefits automatically. Young people need to understand that in today's society working without future security is not a concrete life plan. To show young people a way to succeed while they have the capability to do so at an early age would enhance their survivor rate once maturing through military training and experience.

I think that almost anyone can get something from serving, but I don't think that is exclusive to military service. I would love a program that encourages service either as a peace corporation member, teacher, nurse, or military service that offered young people a chance to develop skills, serve their community, and access resources in similar fashion to the military - access to paying for college, health care, a living wage.

Stop using the military as a social experiment, go back to being apolitical and teach honor, courage and discipline.

Really emphasize the “service before self” creed. It’s a good reminder.

It should be a requirement via constitutional amendment to be in the Military Reserves or Peace Corps for 2 years between the ages of 28-125