WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The military hasn’t been reaching recruitment goals to refill its ranks, and shortfalls are now impacting some branches more than others.
Politicians on both sides agree that the military recruitment shortfall is a concern. Could a national service mandate could fix the problem?
Why are military recruitment numbers so low?
Officials at the Department of Defense say recruiting challenges are “complex and multi-faceted.”
Some contributing factors include a strong job market and a smaller eligible population.
A Pew Research Center report shows that only 23% of young people qualify for the military, and a majority of Americans aged 18 to 29 have a negative view of the armed forces altogether.
This year represents the smallest active-duty force since 1940.
After missing recruitment goals in 2022, the Army and Navy fell far short of those goals again in 2023. According to federal data, across all U.S. military branches, the shortfall for 2023 was about 41,000 recruits. The Marines and Space Force were the only branches to meet their objectives, according to the Defense Department’s 2023 recruiting and retention report.
A Defense Department report published last year revealed the number of service members has been down overall since 2005.
The military has tried various initiatives to boost recruitment, including the Air Force and Space Force raising the maximum enlistment age to 42.
Recruitment is particularly challenging for Generation Z, people born between 1997 and 2012. Videos discouraging joining the military have been swirling on TikTok.
However, the Pentagon remains hopeful it will close the recruitment gap.
Could a military service mandate be possible?
A draft hasn’t been instituted in the country since 1973 — and enlisting in the service is voluntary.
Despite the worries over recruitment, voters in a 2023 Rasmussen poll were not convinced a draft is the solution. Only 27% said the United States should have a military draft, while 55% remain opposed.
Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, a former U.S. Air Force assistant vice chief of staff and a NewsNation contributor, called the country’s recruitment efforts a national security crisis but said he couldn’t fathom forcing our civilians to serve.
“I don’t think it’s realistic at all. I think it would be a very difficult thing to mandate that all eligible males and females, for that matter, serve the United States military,” Newton said. “I think if you flood the ranks of the services, I think that does a disservice to the capabilities and effectiveness of our fighting force, as well as those who volunteer.”
Newton believes there’s a need for a more comprehensive national security strategy to address the root causes as officials search for ways to help boost service member numbers.
Newton said even if the president wanted to enact something like this, he’d need Congress to sign off, too.
The Associated Press reported in October that the U.S. has no plans for instituting a draft, despite some internet rumors.
Trump responds to mandatory military service report
Former President Donald Trump shot down the “ridiculous idea” that he could push for mandatory military service if he wins reelection this year and slammed a Washington Post article on the issue as an effort to “damage” him with voters.
“The Fake News Washington Post came up with the ridiculous idea” that Trump will call for mandatory military service, he said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday.
“The Story is completely untrue. In fact, I never even thought of that idea,” he said. “This is only a continuation of their EIGHT-YEAR failed attempt to damage me with the Voters.”
Trump has not taken a public position on whether young people should be required to serve in the military.
The Washington Post story notes that Trump’s campaign was contacted about the article and “declined to address whether the former president supports mandatory military service.”
How many countries mandate military service?
Most nations in the world have some form of military. However, the methods used to fill the ranks of those armed forces vary from one country to the next.
Across the globe, 66 countries mandate military service in 2024, according to World Population Review.
The Hill contributed to this report.