As the US nears the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, this episode explores how military recruitment is adapting to a post-War on Terror landscape. Topics include the influence of 9/11 on politics and recruitment, reasons for joining the military, evolution of recruitment strategies, and challenges faced by military recruitment.
The US military has shifted its focus away from 9/11 and towards potential future conflicts with China, impacting recruitment strategies and military readiness.
Recruitment challenges persist due to a strong economy and competition with other job opportunities, leading the military to emphasize self-improvement, leadership skills, and cyber warfare in order to attract potential candidates.
Deep dives
Impact of September 11 Attacks on Military Recruitment
The September 11th attacks had a profound effect on the US military, leading to a spike in recruitment. However, today's recruits were either toddlers or not even born during the attacks, and the military has shifted its focus away from 9/11 and towards potential future conflicts with China. The economy's strength and the impact of COVID-19 on high school recruitment have also contributed to a decline in military recruitment. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which followed 9/11, continue to shape politics, but there are fewer veterans serving in public office due to the absence of a military draft.
Challenges in Military Recruitment and Changing Warfare
The military faces challenges in recruiting due to the strong economy and competition with other job opportunities. To attract recruits, the military is emphasizing self-improvement, leadership skills, and college benefits. Warfare has also evolved, with a greater emphasis on cyber warfare and technology-based skills. The military is willing to recruit older officers with expertise in these areas. However, recruitment challenges are expected to persist as the strong economy and job market make it difficult to attract potential candidates.
Implications for Politics, Military Readiness, and Foreign Policy
Recruitment issues have implications for politics, particularly around debates on a 'woke military' and the Republican Party's shifting views on foreign policy. While the military emphasizes lifestyle benefits and incentives to attract recruits, there are concerns about military readiness and the technological skills required for modern warfare. The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has become a political issue used by Republicans against the Biden administration, but it also reflects the messy outcomes of recent wars. Faith in institutions, including the military, has decreased, and public opinion about America's role in the world has been affected.
Most new recruits to active duty military service were either very young or not yet born when the attacks of September 11th, 2001 took place. As the U.S. nears the 22nd anniversary of the attacks, how is military recruitment changing to adapt to a post-War on Terror landscape — and what impact does it have on military readiness?
This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman, and political correspondent Susan Davis.
The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Audio in this podcast was produced by Lexie Schapitl.
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