OPINION: Biden’s Pentagon can’t recruit new soldiers and that threatens us all
But perhaps the greater misfortune is that, until this trend changes, thousands of young Americans will miss out on opportunities to better their current circumstances, learn important leadership and life skills and indeed become better citizens. Apart from the inherent virtue garnered by serving the country, the U.S. military offers one of the most reliable means for young Americans to transcend their circumstances and achieve upward mobility.
After a stint in the Marines with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, Galvan decided to become a doctor. Today, he is a radiology resident at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Galvan says,"Joining the military helped me to overcome my circumstances." Like all human endeavors, the military is not perfect, but it a highly functioning meritocracy. As such, it offers young people a path to success in a society where upward mobility is increasingly harder to attain.
For many American youth, student loan debt is a crushing burden. But those who undertake military service can normally escape college loans and be freer to pursue the path of their choosing; either while in the armed forces or after. Parents, teachers, and guidance counselors all push 62% of high school seniors directly to college, while a stigma has developed around any other alternative, including military service or"blue-collar" jobs. In addition to societal expectations, this push by schoolteachers and administrators is fueled by metrics that"grade" high schools on the percentage of their students that go on to attend college.
To fix this situation, America must both reacquaint its citizens with its military and celebrate those who opt to serve. A mere"thank you for your service" isn’t enough. There should be a tangible demonstration that acknowledges military service as a noble pursuit and recognizes that military service strengthens society by producing more resilient, successful, and capable young men and women.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bidens offer 'joy' at White House Pride event as LGBTQ attacks mountU.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday hosted the largest Pride celebration in White House history on Saturday, calling for new measures to protect the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ people amid a spate of what he called 'terrifying' attacks and legislation.
Read more »
New Pentagon-funded hypersonic test vehicle could fly in summer 2024An Australian company is working toward the first flight of its autonomous hypersonic testbed.
Read more »
Congress, There Is No Reason to Add Funds to the Pentagon BudgetThe enormous sums lavished on the Pentagon are being marshaled in support of a flawed National Defense Strategy that attempts to go everywhere and do everything, making America and the world less safe.
Read more »
Biden VA nominee in hot seat over alleged 'failure to protect' veterans' private informationBiden's nominee to serve as deputy secretary of Veterans Affairs faces scrutiny for her role overseeing a system that allegedly failed to secure private information of veterans
Read more »
18,000 West Philly residents urged to boil water before drinking after pumping station failureThe city said it was issuing the advisory after a pumping station failure in West Philly led to a loss of water pressure in the system.
Read more »
18,000 West Philly residents are urged to boil water before drinking after a pumping station failureA water boil advisory is in effect for areas of West Philly after the failure of a pumping station. Water pressure has been restored, but the city said the lack of pressure could have allowed bacteria and other disease-causing organisms into the pipes.
Read more »