President Donald Trump has been pushing for an expansion of the military. His ambitions will require more soldiers, but there’s a serious problem: roughly 75 percent of individuals from age 17 to 24 are ineligible to serve in the military.
When the military began to trim its staffing levels under the Obama administration, as many as 80 percent of recruits were ultimately turned down. This was a far cry from the heights of the Iraq and Afghanistan war operations under the Bush administration when it seemed that military recruiters could never find enough feet to fill boots.
First and foremost, Americans are getting fat. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions. In five states, obesity rates among adults have exceeded 35 percent.
Now, the military is set to ramp up its recruitment operations in order to build the larger, more robust military envisioned by the Trump administration. By October of 2019, the military aims to increase its forces by 25,900. By 2023, the military wants to increase its ranks by 56,600.
However, military experts are worried that America’s increasingly out-of-shape population won’t be able to yield enough recruits. Add in low unemployment —meaning many people are able to find gainful employment without having to sign up for the military— and recruitment is going to be even more of a challenge.
Most-recent obesity rates among nations. (Credit: Facebook/OECD)
First and foremost, Americans are getting fat. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions. In five states, obesity rates among adults have exceeded 35 percent. Before 2012, not a single state had recorded such high obesity levels. In 2016, nearly 38 percent of West Virginians were obese —representing a high mark— but several southern states follow close behind.
Obesity among youngsters aged 10-17 in the United States, broken-down by state. (Credit: StateofObesity.org)
Since the turn of the millennium, obesity rates have been trending up across all age groups and most ethnicities as well. Only Asians appear to be avoiding the obesity epidemic, with “just” 12.6 percent of Asians being classified as obese. Nearly 43 percent of Latinos and just over 48 percent of blacks are classified as obese. Whites aren’t far behind, with over 36 percent being obese.
It’s not just obesity that is crimping military recruiting efforts. Roughly 1/10 Americans have a criminal record (including drug-related charges) that prevents them from being eligible for the military.
Historically, children have been less likely to suffer from obesity. The growing body is better able to deal with excess calorie intake. However, this trend has been reversed in recent years. Nationally, 31% of children (ages 10 to 17) are obese.
The causes are obvious. 80 percent of Americans do not eat enough vegetables and 70 percent do not eat enough fruit. Roughly 50 percent of Americans report drinking sugar-sweetened beverages on any given day. 45 percent of adults are not physically active enough to secure health benefits.
It’s not just obesity that is crimping military recruiting efforts. Roughly 1/10 Americans have a criminal record (including drug-related charges) that prevents them from being eligible for the military. Meanwhile, GED holders are no longer eligible for military service either.
The military does have to be picky about its recruiting. In 2009, the military lowered its standards, signing more waivers. However, this resulted in more dishonorable discharges and increased incidents of misconduct.
In order to counter recruiting problems, the military has launched Mission: Readiness. 700 top retired military leaders have joined up to raise awareness and to implement policies that will hopefully increase the American population’s readiness to serve. In order to attract more recruits, the military will also likely have to hand out a larger number of signing bonuses.
