What changes will occur when the newest generation of Millennial's become our leaders? How will the branches look in 10-15 years?

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:21:30 -0400

America's youth are fundamentally different than the current generation of service members. They weren't shaped by 9/11 the way we we've been and they have had unprecedented access to technology and social media in a way we have not. They view the world differently than previous generations. Just think, the youngest members of our military were only two or three years old in 2001. What impact do you think this will have when our current foreign policy has been fundamentally influenced by 9/11? notiohttp://time.com/3765942/military-recruit-talent/

Former Marine: How To Fix the Military's Millennial Problem

It will be difficult to find the recruits of tomorrow.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 7 at 2015 11:23 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:23:00 -0400

Just MHO, but I think a major shift towards the liberal side to entitle all the entitled to their just entitlements. Egad, the though scares me!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 11:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:23:54 -0400

Not much will change if you think about this most of the Leaders today were only 2 or 3 when Vietnam ended and we are doing great things now. The future leaders will rise and do great things just as we did so no worries here.

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 7 at 2015 11:34 AM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:34:40 -0400

SSG Carlos Madden IMHO, we will have a big consolidation of services or impacting the branches that serve the different services. There are SME that do not need service specialization. As we shift spending to social security, medical, and interest payments the justification for a larger force will be challenged and cause consolidation.

Most the current separation are caused by cultural service differences and not by real skillset challenges.

Examples:
Medical, Medical Service, Nursing, Dental, Vets, Legal, Base Ops, All Logistics, Signal, Simulations, Space Ops, Cyber, HRC/AG, Finance, ADA/Duck Hunters/Aviation assets, etc.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 7 at 2015 11:54 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:54:08 -0400

I have been around to see a few generations of service members - Vietnam era draftees through OIF. My primary experience has been with Army but I have had the privilege of working with USMC and USAF personnel over my career
While many youth were not shaped by the events and response to 9/11, in my experience the majority of soldiers came from the heartland of America and tended to have values less shaped by national media than people from the larger cities and suburbs.
Our current policy is not primarily influenced by 9/11 - early stages of OEF and the debate about OIF certainly were. Our national strategy and national defense strategy are based upon near to mid term perceived threats in terms of their potential impact on our national objectives.
The administration and following administrations will remember 9/11 or read about it in history books. The question being posed here was also posed in times past by the veterans of WWII and Korea and Vietnam. Desert Storm helped remind the USA that each generation of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, etc. will do their best when called upon. When military leadership is lacking there will be problems; however, the young men and women who make up the next generation that fights will do their best.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 7 at 2015 12:21 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:21:17 -0400

I'm an X-er. I remember when the narrative was that we were all self-absorbed losers with no work ethic...much like Millenials. It ended up being wrong. Every generation bitches about the next one and right now, the Boomers seem to be pumping out enormous amounts of hate on their own kids (Millenials are mostly children of Boomers).

I suspect Millenials are shaping up much the same way. They're different but still awesome. They may have less tolerance for things as they are now, but let's be honest, if most of us joined our fathers' Army, we'd think it was outrageously controlling and unreasonable.

Hell, before the GWOT, everyone cried about how the current generation of soldier wasn't prepared and couldn't perform in a real combat environment. They were wrong. EXACTLY the same thing was said about the ODS generation. They were wrong.

Response by SPC Carl K. made May 7 at 2015 4:49 PM

SPC Carl K. — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:49:19 -0400

I sincerely cringe at the mere thought of this. The way the youth are nowadays, it probably won't be good. Their entitlement attitude that is quite predominant nowadays is the biggest problem. However, it is the parents that we have to blame for this.