The US military has always been seen as a gateway to a promising career for many young Americans, offering not only opportunities for education and advancement but also a sense of purpose and patriotism.
However, recent reports have revealed that the military is struggling to meet its recruitment targets, and a significant reason for this is the alarming number of young Americans who are deemed unfit for service due to being overweight, struggling with mental health issues, or battling drug addiction.
Daily Star reported that The US military is in the grip of a recruitment crisis as most young Americans are too overweight, habitual drug users, or suffering from mental health problems.
The two fastest-growing barriers for army recruitment between 2013 and 2020 were mental health conditions and excess weight, leaving just 23% fit to join, a new report from the Pentagon found.
“When considering youth disqualified for one reason alone, the most prevalent disqualification rates are overweight (11%), drug and alcohol abuse (8%), and medical/physical health (7%),” the Pentagon’s Qualified Military Available Study of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 read.
Some 44% of rejected recruits were disqualified for multiple reasons rather than for only one issue.
Major Charlie Dietz, a spokesman for the US Department of Defence, said that the study confirmed the challenges of recruiting new military members.
“There are many factors that we are navigating through, such as the fact that youth are more disconnected and disinterested compared to previous generations,” he told Military.com.
“The declining veteran population and shrinking military footprint has contributed to a market that is unfamiliar with military service resulting in an over-reliance of military stereotypes.”
While none of this stuff are “new problems,” the extent of these issues has raised concerns about the impact on national security and the well-being of the country's youth.
America needs to put down the fast food, video games, and Xanax, and get out side and experience life before it’s too late.
