Can the military survive on rural recruits alone?
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- Опубликовано: 24 мар 2024
- The U.S. military is facing a recruiting crisis: 2022 and 2023 were the worst years for military recruitment since it became an all-volunteer force 50 years ago. Part of the problem? Recruits are coming from a smaller and smaller pool of applicants, namely: folks with family who served, rural communities (disproportionately in the South), or areas that have a military base (also disproportionately in the South). And the future doesn’t look much brighter - only 9% of 16 to 21-year-olds are open to the possibility of serving. In this week’s Stay Tuned, we dive deeper into the military’s relationship with one rural community in Louisiana, how it impacts the mindset of two young people who live there, and what it could spell for the future of the U.S. military.
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#rural #America #military
“He’s gonna give it to me straight”
Boy that recruiter is gonna say whatever it takes
Cynic
@@dh5380 that’s literally how this entire process works 😂 I had a friend in high school who was told that he would be making six figures the moment he got out of basic training
...Straight Lies! 😈
@@dh5380 recruiters are less truthful than MLM advocates…
@@Rastafarianinjathat kid was dumb to believe that
America’s motto, it’s cheaper to worship the Veterans than taking care of them.
Murica
The veterans are taken care of. If you only knew...
That’s not true anymore lmaooo
As a veteran, I agree
Serving one enlistment doesn’t entitle you to freebies for life. Get a job and support yourself. The military teaches you the discipline you need to be successful. If you want to become a street corner wino instead that’s on you.
Imagine a king who fights his own battles. Wouldn't that be a sight.
-Achilles Troy
Think about Joe Biden on a horse in the middle east with a rifle. Lmao
@PredecessorProfessor exactly. You want some fossil like that defending your country?
@@PredecessorProfessor Ditto that with Trump.
@@PredecessorProfessor Plot twist, Joe Biden is actually Dan Crenshaw wearing a mask
@@PredecessorProfessoron a horse with a rifle? Did you just watch that movie about the CIA raid on Afghanistan? Come on.
If you’re interested in joining, do your research, have a plan, secure your benefits, and GTFO!
Gawd bless Murica 🤓 🖕
100%
Stay away from ARMY. Go AIR FORCE, SPACE FORCE and COAST GUARD.
@@garouuchiha4041same drink, different flavor
ROTC at college; sounds like he’s pursuing a commission as an officer, vs an enlistment. It’s a drastically different life.
I would say joining the military without a degree. Is completely idiotic.
@@AmirShafeek It can be, but doesn’t have to be. You for example can plan ahead, get a job specific guaranteed contract, learn a trade and take advantage of the free tuition assistance. You don’t have to be a ground pounder. You could join the Air Force and become a certified HVAC Technician; get out and start your own business.
@@AmirShafeekI did not want to spend another day in a classroom when I enlisted. However, if I could go back, I would have listened to my mother (also a veteran) and at least gotten an associate’s or certificate. Never saw the civilian to officer route as something I would want though.
@@AmirShafeek, that is a ridiculous comment.... Clearly you have no clue what you are talking about
The US military is a losing team led by losers. Enlisting is for idiots in 2024. Just look at the losing officer trash you're gonna have to salute and follow. Obese Lloyd Austin and racist CQ Brown come to mind.
I came from Kaycee Wyoming, population 296. Cattle ranches, oil, gas, and coal. These were your options growing up. I signed up to get out. Spent twenty eight years in the Marines. Now I have three children all in the service. If it had my choice I would've steered them in another direction.
Why didn't you want your children to be in the military?
@Donner906 I believe there are better options. But my kids were raised up solid on honor, respect, loyalty, and discipline. So when they made their decisions, I respected that.
@@Donner906 The military has become a social laboratory. Took most of the fun out of it. Add in the endless deployments for no reason with restrictive ROEs and politicians who are more focused on international relations than ensuring American personnel survive.
God bless your honesty!
Thank you for your honesty. If anyone would a a few minutes to read about A real Marine Corp hero . Major General SD Butler, A 2 times awarded Metal of Honor 30 yr veteran of the Banana Wars from 1900 to 1930 .
The General gave a Speech in 1933, were he said " out side of repelling an invasion of the US. Or our Bill of Rights is under attack.All war is a racket ( criminal enterprise) . Peace Out.
I served and I tell every young person I meet it was at a walk the biggest mistake of my life. Why fight for a nation that won't fight for you?
Why?
@amandah1875 my gal left me while I was away at the wars. Our society values Moms far more than vets. I didn't get a cent for Iraq or the Stan, they took my child house, horse and truck. I'm honestly surprised saw my dog again. They hoodwinked me with the justice system and want me to pay my child support again after I paid in full the first time. When I refuse they keep sanctions against me as though I'm a nation that enriches plutonium. My ears ring permanently from the bad ear plugs they knowingly gave us so 3m could profit. 22 a day killing themselves and nobody turned their heads to look. Honestly, I don't even call myself an American anymore. People can walk across the southern border and be treated better.
@@EricThompsonClimber I see. It seems first part of your problems was due to your unloyal wife, and of course maybe the stupid feminist ideas they brainwash women with? Then the other issues, yes not good.
@EricThompsonClimber your so full of 💩 dude I guarantee you at least half that stuff had nothing to even do with the military. Ive talked to hundreds of service members on dozens of military bases and literally not a single one of them has had anything like what happened to you happen. Stop damaging recruiting and national security with your BS. You are going to make us all suffer with your propaganda lying to people like that.
The nation doesn’t fight for anyone but itself. Politicians don’t care. Fellow citizens don’t care. So why should you? Its a fair arguement.
Kids need to talk to the veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq aged 25 to 45 and get an idea of what the military does to eager young people who think they are helping the USA.
As a retiree, this is one of the best times to enlist. By and large, you can get the job you want, your competition is low, promotion opportunities are vast, and the medical and retirement benefits are well worth it.
@@timothymccoy1569quiet bot
@@timothymccoy1569unless they arbitrarily medical you before you can retire. Like they did me after 16 years.
@@timothymccoy1569 It has never been a good time to enlist in the military.
I got a free degree and got paid to fix computers, work out and play video games while in Iraq. Idk that was pretty dope
What would help is maybe stop sending the soldiers to die for corporate gain, respect the veterans and take care of them and maybe have leaders that make people confident in the decisions said government make when deciding to use military force.
The problem is care, after you be used and spent in illegal warmongers senile Boomer generation uncle Biden wars. 😮😮😢. 😊😊
I separated honorably from the Marines 25 years ago. Zero chance id enlist again today, and I steer people away from it today. The recruiting troubles are the entirely predictable outcome of a malevolent federal government.
Former Marine infantryman here...1986-1990. 2nd Bn. 8th Marines/ 3rd. Bn. 4th Marines. What problem do you have with the federal government EXACTLY. Thanks.
@@warrenlewis3977 The cherry on top for me was the Afghanistan exit. Disgraceful.
@@supersubes That's what's malevolent about this country?? What else?
@@supersubes Wasn't the exit from Vietnam even more disgraceful?
@@warrenlewis3977 What war has this country fought since ww2 that actually had a worthy cause? Vietnam for example, it was for nothing, just a waste of lives and money. How many times have we walked away from the middle east? Never should have been there in the first place, but by golly we keep going back to create death and destruction. How many times have we fought the very people we armed in the previous conflict? Ukraine is our fault, and president potato will make sure gen z gets there for the slaughter. It might be easier to create a list of good things the federal government has done. I cant think of anything, frankly, perhaps you can?
Two kids in a relationship, one is going to college, the other is going into the military. Oh yeah, that’s a relationship built to last 😂
Someone is very jealous from a beautiful couple… who might be?????
@@adamsd6638 Both my grandfathers served, my dad was in for a couple of years as well, and I have plenty of friends from high school who planned to go into the service after graduation, I also met plenty of “girlfriends” in my freshman year of college who had boyfriends serving in other states/countries. They never make past the first semester before they break up or end up sleeping with someone else, that’s just how it works. Too young, too many hormones, and waaay too many options when you’re trying to do long distance at that age
@@adamsd6638 You also have to consider, she’s going to LSU, there’s a ton of athletic guys at that school, and if she decides to join a sorority, the relationship is basically over at that point because she’s guaranteed to end up with a frat boy. It’s a tale as old as time
@@adamsd6638 Sometimes, in basic training, the drill sergeants will purposefully make it their goal to get their recruits to break up with significant others while in training b/c it’s considered a distraction to prospective soldiers
@@adamsd6638 there’s a reason they have terms like “Jody” and “Dear John Letters”
They were talking about this issue back in 2011. I was in recruiting at that time and they were already warning us that we were eventually going to run out of people to recruit in the military.
I’ll die for my country but not for corrupt greedy politicians.
I would be in the military already if they didnt keep failing us over and over.
@@PredecessorProfessor They aren’t even good at war-ing anymore. Who wants to join the loser team?
"Patriotism isn't dying for your country, it's making the other poor b@stard die for his."
I'm an E-5 in the military, and I get out next year, and I'm done. I have done my duty. 12 years im done, military served its purpose. If you want to join. Please ...it would behoove you to do your research.
It would behoove us all
12 years and still an E-5? I think that says a lot.
I did 7 yrs in the army as a cook and got out,I was done with the BS mind games,lies and poor leadership. Was so glad to be a civilian again,I got out at Ft Bliss,Tx and very glad to never see anyone from Bliss ever again. LOL.
@sircrapalot9954 Hmmm.. your judging, and that's a problem. Im in the guard so it's allot different. And most of the time it has to do with the MOS you are in. I had to go full time, on my last tour in the guard in my MOS to get ranked. I'm a great soilder. I was an E-4 for a very long time. Did my tours, past PT time and time again, had my rewards...but no rank. Because of my MOS. But...again like I said I did my time and I did it well.
@user-be7tc2bd6e OH I know exactly were fort bliss is. But hey I don't blame you. I'm in the guard but did so much in the guard. They still do funny stuff, I got screwed 1 time, which was major. And 2025 is my last year. I was going to stay get ranked to get my E-6. Nope, I'm out.
Lets just tell the complete truth to the public. The ONLY reason why the military has major problems finding recruits is because the way they are treated
after they have served. If they get injured the military will say, "You're injuries are not indicative to your service", even though it was.
99.99% of the military personnel have a huge problem getting medical help once they have been discharged. They have to team up with military vets & struggle
through the massive amounts of red tape to get any medical services needed. One lady lost both her legs in the military, it took her 10 years just to get proper medical attention
and a proper wheelchair for her. A very rich man stepped in and purchased a wheel chair for her. Other vets are currently homeless sleeping in shelters with no help.
even though they served in the military for 20 years or more. All they are asking is a warm place to live and medical attention and help.
But no the military won't help and tells them they are on their own.
No one will sign up to the military because the way they are treated inside and outside the military.
Its the main reason why military is currently having a serious difficult time finding recruits. And those who do serve mostly don't serve past 4 years.
People should open their homes to the homeless if they care so much
That's not the only reason. Social media has created a generation of victims that have no interest in their country...and in fact actively hate it a lot of the time. Russia and China helped spread this message through bot campaigns and TikTok.
@@firstlast8258What are you getting at with this ridiculous comment?
Not the only reason! Health, education, metal health issues are major issues in blocking the path of people who want to join but can not
@@deanrobinson7992
It's called MEPS processing unit.
Unqualified personnel are usually for medical reasons. Because the military job requires strenuous physical activity.
Education not so much because you get your GI Bill when you are discharged.
So long as you have a high school diploma and can read, write and comprehend English you pass. Of course common sense is also needed.
Though it is preferred that you have college degree, because you go in as an officer instead of enlisted.
And you will be able to have higher rank than an enlisted.
I joined from California it was complete culture shock down south. It's good ole country folk network in the military and not welcoming to ppl from the north or west that don't make it a career. I made more money in my high school part time job than the Army and had better living condition.
Likewise. I never heard of "biscuits and gravy" growing up in Orange County.
@@radaction5743I bet they changed your life, the biscuits and gravy 😉
@@radaction5743 People don't eat biscuits and gravy in California? Not even sausage gravy?
@@dannykaity7668 I never heard of it growing up here as a child.
@@radaction5743 Dang, I figured biscuits and gravy were just a universal comfort food. Just cheap, warm, bread and a sauce made from cooking chicken or beef. That said, I know people in the south who have never tried grits either, and grits are supposed to be common here.
How long have we all been seeing for ourselves that our country doesn’t take care of its veterans? Most of us know at least one person that served and is completely messed up mentally and very few are actually being cared for by the government.
An American citizen, not a civilian. A soldier, engineer, warrior, and survivor. A leader strengthened and tested through trials and stood by commitments for 25+ years. A man who defended others and the United States Constitution, when they could not do so themselves. I cannot recommend military service, today. Our government has failed its veterans and citizens.
lol the military is a welfare program that hasn't won a war in 80 years and is just a cash cow for the MICC
Exactly as an army with 13 years, you hit the nail on the head.
I grew up in a wealthy neighborhood in the 4th largest city and went into the Marines because my father and grandfather and great-grandfathers all the way back to the American Revolution had served. Not only was it a family tradition but I knew at a very young age I would go into the military, it’s like it was in my blood and I was just drawn to it for some reason even though I had no shortage of options. Very few people where I grew up went into the military.
"Very few people where I grew up went into the military."
Translation: Most of the people, where I grew up, have a conscience and chose not to be a terrorist.
@@TheWanderingFinnegan youre calling american soldiers terrorists, grow up lmao
He has a point there I agree but not all people who join want to be terrorists.
The wealthy and even the upper middle class for the most part stopped serving after Truman racially integrated the military in 1948. During WWII many rich folks including several Rockefellers, Roosevelts, Kennedy's and G.H.W. Bush served in the military. Their kids for the most part didn't because they knew they would have to shower and bunk with people they considered "the hired help".
Rich men's wars, poor men's fights.
Out of zero wars the US military has fought since 2014.
My Dad and other soldiers stationed in Germany volunteered for Vietnam in 1966. We went to Ft. Lewis, Washington. My Dad was a mechanic. One day he was reassigned to be the drill instructor for conscientious objectors. My Dad was not happy. Any connection to C.0.'s is not good. Dad got sent to the barracks for this assignment. These young men were devout Christians from Appalachia. God says no killing human beings. My Dad went strictly by the manuals. These boys started calling my Dad "Uncle Bob". When it was time to go to the shooting range they amazed the regular Army soldiers. They had these great rifles and ammunition. They were putting 5 shot groups at 600 yards. The guys running the range couldn't believe it. They were accused of somehow cheating to get these scores. When asked about their shooting they told stories of having to hunt to put food on the table. Now that they were using quality weapons they could really shoot. These kids got a standing ovation from the people in the review stands when doing their review. A general was very impressed by the demonstration of the manual of arms. The general invited them to sit next to him at mess hall. He praised their deportment,etc..He was told they were conscientious objectors. It wouldn't look good to be seen together. His response: "These boys showed up. They didn't run and hide. They have worked hard. They can eat with me.". Respect for those kids that showed up.
My grandpa and father were both military. Both told me do not go into the military.
Living in the USA, economically speaking the military does seem very attractive but you basically sell your soul to the military. I value my free time too much to join but thank those who do.
The money is not great at all for what they expect from you. If you are young and low skilled, look for a job that requires travel. You will make more money because you are being compensated for being away from home and most people don't want to do it. This could be a trucker, river barge worker , construction, etc. You can quit and do something else if you don't like it, unlike the millitary.
Volunteering the best years you have to a bigger cause isn’t “selling your soul”
That would be giving up your life for something insignificant like fame and fortune
Once you join, and I've been told this many times, you become the PROPERTY of the U.S. government!
@@rubenlopez3364I'm sorry, bigger cause?
I'd rather serve than put myself into economic slavery to the government and some corporations because college is so dam expensive.
I have 2 master degrees and they still couldn't promise me the MOS (17A) that I wanted. Told them they can keep it then.
Your degrees don't mean anything when picking your job. This applies to enlisting and commissioning. But for commission definitely means less. It can give you an edge but nothing is guaranteed when becoming an officer. Right timing and luck on the needs at the end of the day.
@Rob-ew4bl And being apart of the good old boy system
@@karenwhite4141 that's after you are in. 😆
Growing up in the 90s with dual military parents who served in the longest peacetime in US history I saw what the military could do FOR you. Movies consisted of "military comedies". But turning 18 in 2003 and deployed to Iraq at age 19 with a boots on the ground combat brigade whose camp was violently attacked, my children have grown up seeing what the military can do TO you. The movies they grow up with are far from comedies. My children refuse to join. That's what changed
What peacetime? I guess you forgot about Panama, Gulf war I, Somalia, Yugoslavia, and last but not least Bill Clinton's "wag the dog" bombing of Iraq to divert media attention from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Nice promotion. If any young person talks to a veteran especially a combat veteran instead of the spokesman they will most likely hear a different story. The change needs to come from the top, not dragging in poor meat bags to fill the ranks.
It’s a heart breaking to see the veteran in a military uniform pan holding at traffic lights or sleeping as a homeless🥹.
Half of those people 'say' they are vets and anyone can buy camo clothes at a goodwill for cheap. Most of those you see at traffic lights end up making more than you do, since they dont pay taxes on it. I've seen several go from their panhandling, to walk to the nearest parking lot and get into their SUV and drive away. Give money to charities, not beggars.
Open your home to them if you care so much
@MrViewsonix money is at the job if you are able bodied
Homeless veterans screwed up big-time along the way. They got in trouble and received punitive discharges. Nobody will hire them in the private sector because they wear the scarlet letter.
As a social worker I guarantee you that there are programs for actual vets....
I paid both of my kids college education just so they would never follow me into the military. I did that crap so they didn't have to. -- the military is good on good days, but on the bad days it's the worst day you'll ever know.
Considering that you go into the military and then apply for foodstamps at the same time might be the issue. The military atheist used to pay a decent wage, offer college, medical, and pay for room and board. The military also didn't care about your pronouns infact didn't even want to know about it. All has changed and is no longer a viable option out of high school. Working at Chipotle pays almost twice as much.
Definitely, not for a family!
I grew up near Lejeune. Every Marine vet dissuaded me from joining. My biggest mentor in history was a First Sgt, from the Gulf of Tonkin as machine-gunner to Persian Gulf. He lamented that military isn't heroic anymore. It's all mechanized, technocratic, and 99% of the job is paperwork and getting up at 3 AM to bail out someone in the company for drunkenness. During Iraq II, three of my party friends enlisted. One committed suicide, another developed a habit and died from such a few years later, the other cut off all ties and never saw us again. At the reunion, one of my best friends from childhood developed a long-standing alcohol problem. Another friend is in intel. Truth be told, only the navy seemed to retain people. Everyone left the army. The Marines had more varied satisfaction. The Guard wasn't meant to be deployed, and they all got jacked in the head. I can't think of anyone who went to the Air Force. Final point: if the DoD is going to depend on Rural America, it's remarkably short-sighted of the political class, which, by extension, includes military, to have de-industrialized those towns and creating an oxy epidemic. I suspect that weak recruitment rates depend in part on their high mortality from oxy. Something to think about
Hi 👋🏾 same but I went USAF my dad just died in Jan thanks to lejeunes water , my bestfriends dad died from cancer a year after I enlisted due to lejuenes water and alot of other people infected its disgusting they don’t take care of people
@Seoulita Tarawa Terrace was the site with the water contamination IIRC. My mother lived there and refused to trust the water while my dad was stationed there, before I was born. I absolutely believe you and it's grotesque that Lejeune officials act like the water was harmless. A lot of kids got leukemia
As a poor kid from a small town it was the best decision I ever made. It set me up for success and put me through school. Like everything it is what you make of it.
The truth is they will be low paid janitors until the rank of E4, which will take almost 4 years for most of them.
But you are still getting free room and board. Healthcare.Getting more responsibility than most of your civilian peers.And learning positive
life skills such as self discipline and physical fitness. Most people do get out just when they are on the verge of making better pay because they
paid their dues.
@@TheLAGopher just telling my experience. I was an over qualified airplane washer/cafeteria worker. I wore an avionics insignia, but the navy had me doing work than a mentally challenged person could do..
@@micclaysame the military is for some it can offer good benefits but I’m going too be honest I can’t see my self doing more then 3 years I’m so happy I get out next year
As a retiree, this is one of the best times to enlist. By and large, you can get the job you want, your competition is low, promotion opportunities are vast, and the medical and retirement benefits are well worth it.
Stop lying.
I was on for 6 years. Do not join. This is propaganda.
💯💯💯💯💯
100% US empire propaganda
Idk man, veterans camp for free at National Parks. Seems like a good deal 😂
Of course it is. They selected two conventionally attractive people as their focus. 🙄
Recruiters are just used car salesmen. I was promised something, that I later had to fight on my own to get. Which is hard to do as a private against sergeants and officers.
Thanks for this feature - having grown up on the west coast, this was educational.
I live in Louisiana and my daughter would never be allowed to join the military
Ummmm. When she’s 18. She can maker her own decisions. 🤷♀️
@emjay2045 they say it's a free country, but when someone wants to renounce U.S citizenship they are forced to pay $2,300+ taxes...but yeah "America love it or leave it, but we don't want to let you leave."
The 2 young people featured here are pretty much at the top of the socio/economic food chain of that area with significant options. Really a poor representation of the individuals that the military is attracting these days.
Exactly what I was thinking.
I wonder if they're going to give him a shaving profile for that unibrow? 😂
🤣😂🤣😎🤣😂🤣 🥸
The beginning of this is such a lie...kids don't wanna be doctors, fireman or garbage man? They wanna be youtubers and social media stars
Hes talking about in his area. A lot of un-urbanized areas in the South and center of the country still actually have values and morals.
They didn't join to fight to lose and die in meaningless war
Nobody said you have to join a combat related job in the military. I'd argue like we'll over half of the jobs in the military are desk jobs.
@@planderlinde1969gawd bless Murica 🤓🖕
@@planderlinde1969 pretending that you’re not going into combat in the military is bs.
@@GemmaHentsch Actually it isn't. I know people in the Air Force who served 20 years and never set foot in a combat zone or even deployed to a remote location.
@@planderlinde1969 what’s the statistics on combat deployments, rather than anecdotes…
I hear that the army's diversity initiatives will solve the recruitment crisis.
“Why don’t presidents fight the war? Why do they always send the poor?” - System of a Down (BYOB)
"Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor, yeah" - Black Sabbath, "War Pigs"
Words of advice if you are looking into the Intelligence Community.
Pick a major at LSU in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Also, minor in Russian or Mandarin. Additionally, don't become a knuckle dragger in the Army. Go for an intelligence based MOS. You will need a TS clearance for many of those jobs. The average age of entry is around 30. So, go private sector after the Army. This will give you your best shot.
Fort Johnson used to be called Fort Polk, and was understood to be one of the worst assignments in the continental United States. Spent a year there and volunteered to go to South Korea in order to get out! 😅😂
Bruh
To be honest this feels like sloppy reporting. I severed with plenty of city folks. Also California has one of the highest enlistment counts in the US. In addition has a bigger national guard force than even Texas does. When I was at the San Jose MEPS back in 2019 that place was packed. I feel like the bigger issue the military is having is retention of guys after their first contract. A majority of people just do a "one and done" 3-4 year enlistment.
California is a big state with many small communities like this one in Louisiana.
@@bunnylacy2097I was born in the parish just below Vernon (where the base is). Until the late 70s, that’s where all the Army babies stationed there were born. People get stationed there and never leave. It’s the reason I hate it. My dad grew up in Beauregard Parish and my mom grew up in Calcasieu (just south of that near Lake Charles). Believe it or not, the culture between Calcasieu and other adjacent parishes is completely different than Beauregard and Vernon. And that base is the primary reason. My mom hated it there. My sister hated it there. My dad probably hates it, but he made a lot of money because they needed a dentist and fortunately people there had bad teeth nearly 50 years ago. He opened a second office in Leesville 40 years ago. That’s the town in Louisiana. We call in Sleezeville. For a time, my dad had a third office near the base. The military dumps their trash there and they complain about the Cajun culture, the food, the heat, etc. It would be better if they took their gutter trash religions and went back where they came from. But both my grandfathers served in the 1930s and 1940s. You don’t know who joins the Army and who doesn’t. At one point, these parishes had 100 percent of eligible men serving. Those are people who are from there. These towns aren’t that old. They are like 100 years old because that part of Louisiana was not even considered part of the U.S. government’s control even once Texas and Louisiana became states. The majority of kids in Leesville are Army kids. And yes, usually one goes into the Army or another branch of service. But you know what? Louisiana apparently had a ton of men who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the other wars in the Middle East. The VFW parking lot is always full. And if you ever find yourself at the WWII Museum in New Orleans, there will be a veteran there. Hopefully from WWII, but those are dying. And they’re all from somewhere in Louisiana. As I said I don’t like Vernon or Beauregard Parishes. But it’s the reason I’m alive. It helped both of my parents have really good careers and make a lot of money. There are people there I care about that aren’t family, but I know would help me if I asked. I can insult this place and the crazy that it is. You can’t nor can you make assumptions. Because I don’t know a thing about the people where you’re from and why they are the way they are. That’s my hometown.
They are leaving out the fact that the single greatest state for recruits is California.And not just rural areas. Southern California and liberal Los Angeles County, sends plenty of recruits to the military due to it having a large veteran community whose kids join.Having several Navy,Air Force, and Marine Corps
bases in the area. And having a large Mexican American community who value military service.
That's more of a population thing
They have about the same recruitment as Texas
@@williammclaughlin8205as well as Florida, those 3 States have the biggest numbers.
You know that is true my son is a marine MOS comms most of the military come from California and Texas. And yes most of the Marines I have seen at MCRD San Diego and Camp Pendleton Hispanic and white . Good young men the next fight will mostly be AI I believe
Liberal areas send FAR fewer people to the military per capita than rural areas. Minorities are also far less likely to die or get injured in war than whites because they are REMFs....far away from combat. Whites serve at the tip of the spear and die far in excess of their percentage of the general population.
I took my basic and AIT at that post, and it was called FT. POLK! My 1st off post pass was to a little town called Leesville, I think, but was commonly referred to as diseasevill la. Hopefully they have cleaned it up bye now ,this was back in 63 🙏
I’m in the area now. It’s gotten worse.
The back door draft is failing…
Don't do it unless you want to waste years of your life making zero difference, unless your goal is to fight in pointless wars that accomplish nothing.
As a retiree, this is one of the best times to enlist. By and large, you can get the job you want, your competition is low, promotion opportunities are vast, and the medical and retirement benefits are well worth it.
@@timothymccoy1569gawd bless Murica 🤓🖕
“That they can further train to be lethal”
So blunt lol. I don’t know if that’s a good thing man…
That boyfriend part was a good plot twist 😂 and that gumbo looked good🥵
That's rural Louisiana. Only jobs in the area. It's the only economic engine in the area.
The southern town I grew up in wasn't super small but I realized shortly after hs graduation I had basically 2 options ahead of me. 1) Factory work, namely Whirlpool, a huge local employer. 2) "marry well". As a southern woman it was culturally acceptable to marry and be supported by a husband and become a housewife. There were numerous reasons in my personal history why these were unappealing options to me. Additionally, my father was career Army. Both of my brothers had just joined the Navy. It was an easy sell.
One thing that jumped out of this clip for me is when he said "doing time in the military". Dude, it's not a prison sentence. It may feel like it during boot camp but it is primarily a commitment to serve and protect. It is also a sacrificial surrender. Military life is not for everyone but it is an excellent learning experience. Not just the job they train you for but emotional maturity. And that may be the biggest benefit of all.
I'd have gone with Whirlpool
Doing time is the correct lingo. The military historically was either a punishment or was filled through conscription.
My husband joined the Marines. He was proud to serve. He learned so much, he came from a pretty dysfunctional family, so the discipline and leadership skills he acquired were more important than job training. He credits the military for turning him around and keeping him from becoming a criminal. That was in the early 70s (I know a long time ago) . Today with all the changes he is not urging is grandson to join.
"emotional maturity"? Of an order follower? A terrorist?
LOL. K.
@@Ireallydontlikeyou2the military "historically" in the United states has been primarily volunteers since the 1700s. The military has not conscripted a simgle soldier since vietnam. You have no idea what youre talking about.
My son is current an Army recruiter and he has managed to exceed by about double. He has to put in long hours to do it. My advice to him when he started was to tell the truth. Lead with the good but dont hide the less attractive aspects of military life. Overall he likes the Army. And yes his grandfathers were both in the military.
I wish y'all would interview us career veterans and why we don't encourage teens to join.
Haha, they would never. They fear our honesty
It's actually surprising the recruiting offices don't have lines out the door. Especially with today's economy and more younger adults are still living with their parents into their mid to late 20's due to jobs and housing. And almost all deployments now are basically twiddling thumbs. I'm retired Navy, 6 of my 9 surrounding neighbors are retired Army and Navy. And the numbers increase the further out I go. And that's how it goes in rural areas. You will always find more pride in rural America, than the cities. More opportunities exist in the military for rural or poor young adults. 4 years and you can get college and technical knowledge to compete in the job market for basically free (aside from maybe a few heartbreaks, and mental breakdowns, and maybe back and knee pains lol). Having military experience gets your resume put at the top of a stack of resumes. Companies look for people who they can trust to work on a team, lead, or take orders. All in all it's not a bad gig to help young adults get their foot in the door, that otherwise wouldn't have been afforded to them. Now if the elected dinguses in DC would do their jobs right.....everything would be peachy here in the states.
It’s cause they reject us all. They have more info on their recruits these days and more reasons to auto reject them rather than letting them sort it out in basic.
@@TheYumChannel It does not help that most young people are unfit for service without a waiver, I think its like 75% are over weight, have mental or health issues or have drug abuse issues, or already have a felony.
Because the military isn't much fun. Being in the military does nothing for your resume.
Lol lines out the door? The military experience is terrible 99% of people. Most of us couldn't wait to get out. It felt like prison. Of course they don't have lines out the door. Your comment is one of the goofiest and hilarious comments I've ever seen on YT.
Because we don’t want to serve the interests of billionaires
Who wants to serve a government who doesn’t give 2 peanuts about you after your done? You should be taken care of for life, health benefits without any stipulations for you and your family, and if you saw combat you should be set for life. Housing, health benefits, and a pension should be mandatory. Then and only then will someone even think about putting their life on the line. Period that’s how I see it. It’s sad to say but most of indigent people are old school vets who saw combat and they were just left out to hang and dry.
Yes but if you think a regular employer in the civilian world cares any more for you once they're done with you?
Interesting piece, THANKS! Best of luck to that young couple & all their kind!
I'm from Louisiana. I joined the Army in '94 because my parents couldn't afford my college and I didn't have any other options. It was a sacrifice that greatly worked out for me but not sure I will let me 3 kids join today.
We know how bush lied. I wouldn’t either
As a retiree, this is one of the best times to enlist. By and large, you can get the job you want, your competition is low, promotion opportunities are vast, and the medical and retirement benefits are well worth it.
Is this the Airborne Timothy McCoy? If so, how are you doing brother?
I make more money working at a parts warehouse and I get to go home after 8 hours
@@SchmuelGoldstein-mj8rk Do you? And what is your rent or mortgage payment plus utilities, your medical insurance (alone), and the cost of your food (alone)? Now subtract that from your pay.
@@RWebster325 yep, I still do make more lol
@@SchmuelGoldstein-mj8rk No you don't. Because you are trying to compare apples to oranges. Why? You are not comparing an equal level, i.e. a new high school graduate to you and YOU are not a new high school graduate, and that is just for starters.
How do I know, been there and done that.
And with that you are lying to yourself, deliberately or not I don't care. And that is the case whether you receive a salary or a wage (that is another part of the equation by the way, that way too many people get wrong from the beginning).
I was stationed at Fort Polk that's what it will always be.
Right ! I thought we had another military base here😂😂.. Ft. Johnson where is that ?
From rural Indiana here. I’ve realized for some time that our biggest crop grown here is military recruits. However most rural youth today are not meeting minimal physical and educational requirements.
Minimum physical requirements I understand, BUT, which educational requirements are you talking about, HS Diploma/GED or as in ASVAB scores?
@@RWebster325 My anecdotal evidence from a couple of recruiters here indicates they can’t find enough to pass the aptitude tests as well as the physical minimums.
@@susanflaherty1248 Thank you. Unfortunately, education does not always equal aptitude, nor does education mean that someone has actually learned something.
Another example of this mismatch currently (and in the past, I might add) is that people believe that they make more money as a civilian. The problem both inside and outside the military is that they are not doing a proper comparison. In other words, they end up trying to directly compare a salary to a wage, and they do not add or subtract the benefits as may be appropriate. Examples are housing cost and health insurance/benefits. And the attendant tax reduction or increase depending on which side of the equation you're on.
i wonder if they have actually sat down together and talked about their goals and when they want to have a family.
she's talking about moving to a coastal state to chase money and he's talking about disappearing for years to some unknown country.
Literally 1% of US service members deploy. There is no iraq or Afghanistan anymore. Of the non deployments, japan south korea italy germany and the UK are not exactly "unknown countries".
I learn not to join because they'll chew you up and spit you out when you're no longer useful to them
Speak for yourself 🤓 🖕
Facts
I recruit in a wealthy neighborhood in Southern California for the Army, and we repeatedly make our recruiting mission every month, and exceed it. Don't doubt that there are still plenty of young Americans out here who don't see the military as a "last resort" but who instead see it as a chance to serve their country and set themselves apart from their peers.
Serve the elite
Winfield illinois is literally a suburb of Chicago. Cannot possibly call that a "small town" because it's in a major metro area
Nothing but respect for our serving men (and women)!!!!!
Yeah most people living in rural America have limited options when it comes to careers. Thus why so many join the military.
oil rig, sheepfucker, or military. only options available
That's a lesser factor than the strong sense of duty and patriotism in the South.
Fighting hard for neocons and neolibs
I have always lived in rural America,and I served in the US Navy during Nam! My opinion is that most Urban people don't know we exist, and think their good comes from a factory. And you know what? I am glad!!!!!
If I may ask, Why are you glad exactly? 🤔
@@no1onu2be19 Because I don't want the first to be over run!
An acquaintance of mine was asked by his NY cabbie where he was from. The cabbie said he didn't know where Nebraska was! My friend said, "Let's keep it that way?"
@@georgematthews2877thank you for your service. I would like to join, but the marines instead.
You are welcome, Juan! I was in the amphibious Navy transporting Marines!😊
“Know what you’re getting into.” Exactly.
Growing up near Barksdale AFB o knew a ton of people who enlisted because of their proximity to the base or family members serving
Man he's a cute kid. His girlfriend needs to be honest and give him a lil eyebrow trim.
I kept thinking, Ft Johnson? Where is that? They started naming the area and I thought, that looks like Ft Polk 😂 😂 glad they changed the name. I still hate it though
I applied and got rejected due to mild asthma, I don't even need and inhaler anymore
The absolute worst duty station I’ve ever been subjected to in a decade long enlistment was ft Polk and as a state Louisiana absolutely sucks
Lies😂😂😂 i served with tons and tons of city people
Nah, they just said they were from cities so you didn't come visit them
@@baby_joe funnyguy
@baby_joe because why would someone want to talk about were they miss
This video is completely stupid. Obviously if half the enlisted population are from a rural area, the other half will be from urban areas.
Don't fight wars for Israel
Hey neighbors! They are digging in the new fiber lines on my street right now. Can't wait!
I was so interested in joining the military for the past 6 plus years but went to MEPS 3 times n failed the test I was so ready for bootcamp n everything that comes with it only the test kept me out the military.
Ft. Johnson? I never heard of that base. I remember Ft. Polk in Louisiana when i was in more than 30 years ago. I was stationed in Germany, then Ft. Stewart in Georgia, but I do not recall a Ft. Johnson.
Fort Polk was recently renamed Fort Johnson.
Thank you, I actually looked it up.@@sbrehabaddict
The south has more bases due to the ability to train all 12 months out of the year as well.
Good luck after service trying to get any help or benefit from the VA.
They can tap into the dreamer pool, some of the most patriotic ROTC high schoolers I teach.
"Don't waste your life following some fools orders" - Troy...
To learn to lead, you must first learn to follow.
@@MiguelDLewis Then follow and be a fool...
@@RAZR_Channel Better to be a fool than a coward.
If people weren't cowards, Vietnam and Afghanistan would probably look a lot better than they are now because the US totally gained a lot from wasting our time in those two countries. @@MiguelDLewis
I'll take coward over corpse...
I ain't from US but I heard so many sad stories online about veterans not being looked after after they come home. I always have questions about that. Is it worth it? Why would people still wanna be in military? I wouldn't.
We need to fix this, although a lot of recruitment happens in cities as well. Recruitment is low. Our enemies are watching.
ugh who wants to work for the FBI?
This was so sad. Children get groomed in high schools to become "lethal" (killers) because they have little other choice.
Well just hug and hold hands if we go to war.
The truth is they will more likely be janitors untill they reach E4, which takes most recruits 3 or 4 years to attain.
@@dt8762here we go, if you don't want your kids grooming killers you must want them to be peace loving victims...
No, this kid said his coach, who is also a recruiter, has been telling him about the Guard.. I'm sorry, even as a kid who wanted to serve, it seemed odd to have recruiters invited to , what I recognize now as grooming, us guys into enlisting.
How about let kids be kids, so worried about the books they read but no issues with having their heads filled with recruiters takes of adventure and service so they can make their quota with the live of our kids..
The young man has a plan, his dad was a chaplain, base in town...he didn't need a recruiter/coach to convince him, but many others may fall victim to buyer remorse or worse, the families will face it over a flag draped coffin
You can say that But these kids are joining Not for the betterment of themselves or for America but for the the betterment of rich politicians and their shareholders. Anybody who could tell another American in 2024 that joined the military is good for America's future is crazy. There are too many options that will pay you a lot of money outside of the Not to point out that if they don't. Do Something in the military that gives them actual job skills than they're doomed If they ever do leave the military. Which no doubt most don't. Cuz what else would they do? Say what you want but the the original commentary is right. @@dt8762
@@micclay
At least you learn how to clean up for yourself. Many young people still live at home and expect their mother to clean up after them in their 20s.
This demographic, that is the majority of NCOs, is partly why those with specialized technical skills, that are in high demand, aren’t interested in serving.
Imagine your boss, E-5 and up,
spent most of their life in a small town and only learned your profession existed a decade after they joined the military. If you’re the person with these special technical skillsets, is that who you want to report to, every day for 4-8 years, with no control over transfers?
What percentage of these individuals really grasp the things you’d be explaining to them, which today can quickly be far beyond what was superficially taught to them in the military, regardless of their raw intelligence?
This also assumes you won’t be reporting directly to a Warrant.
They should take away the maximum age requirement, and go strictly off physical and mental testing.
I wasn't aware that Fort Polk got fvcked over with a new name too. 😢
Mainly because people are tired of fighting useless wars for resources and profit in the name of capitalism.
Empires need useful idiots.
Was born there when it was known as Fort Polk.
2:37 if hes doing ROTC then he won't enlist, he would just become an officer.
I was born there. Both parents were army. Sad…
Why is that sad?
Do you still live there?
@@golfery5119 the hopelessness is sad.
@@baby_joe no my mom left the army shortly after I was born.
@@NashvilleDrumCoach hopeless because they are in a rural area with fewer options
As a former Active duty and Reserve Army recruiter, I can say that this report missed three of the biggest reasons why the unbalance between rural and urban recruiting exists.
The first is what Liberals are always pointing to about the terrible (and they are absolutely correct!) conditions of Urban Public schools all across the Nation; where in Rural areas, education is typically better funded with better outcomes due to lower class size and more dedication from teachers.
This directly leads to the FACT that proportionally, more applicants in Rural areas can achieve a qualifying score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (asvab) test, while so many Urban applicants cannot. It was and continues to be shocking just how many High School grads, and people in College, cannot pass the 4 areas of 8th- 10th grade level math/ algebra, geometry, word knowledge and paragraph comprehension! This is a direct result of a poor education.
The second is that in a Rural area, most Dr's will choose to treat a kid with a broken leg or arm with a cast; in Urban/Suburban areas, more Dr's will choose to treat with pins, plates and screws- a MASSIVE disqualifier. Same is true for the prescribing of psych meds to kids, esp ADHD meds
Third is criminal backgrounds. More Urban/Suburban kids will have a criminal record of some kind that will either disqualify them or require a moral waiver to enlist, while kids in rural areas will tend to have less negative criminal interaction with law enforcement.
oh, and an 'honorable mention' to those with tattoos that either disqualifying due to what they are OR more often WHERE on the body they are; I am confident that it is far easier to get a tattoo in a Urban area than a Rural one
Your first point kind of destroys the left’s opinion of southerners as rubes and low IQ types. I served 23 yrs in the army and in Vietnam the southern boys were really good. ( not to say others weren’t )
Your first point kind of destroys the left’s opinion of southerners as rubes and low IQ types. I served 23 yrs in the army and in Vietnam the southern boys were really good. ( not to say others weren’t )
When I was in, there were LOTS of inner city kids, kids from Ohio, all over Texas, Hispanic neighborhoods.
Interesting piece. Grew up in Acadiana sort of near the place in the vid. Grew up with vets in the family, older brothers and a WWII dad.
Joining for me in 1981 was an easy decision. There were plenty of good paying jobs in my town but for me the problem was…. It was my town. I wanted to get away, do something unique and experience the world. So I did.
Only one other classmate went on active duty with me, right out of high school. I did everything smart as I had my brothers advice and experience to use against recruiters who wanted me for their own ideas. But I demanded and got the job I wanted (jet mechanic) and the length of enlistment. No BS.
This was the best decision I have made in my life of now 60 years. It opened doors that I knew were there, I just had to work to get through them. The armed forces are a great place for youngsters to get a start in life. They offer so much in opportunities, so much in fulfilling work if you are willing to sacrifice some time in your life to serve.
I’d say maybe 4% of my HS class eventually joined over the years. So that’s in keeping with the abysmal recruitment numbers. Barely 1% of Americans serve.
But the benefits are really pretty good now. I didn’t have a GI bill like the kids today have. But I still used the Navy to get my degree at a very cheap price which lead to my commission and a career as a Naval Aviator.
I think too many people don’t take the long game look at military service and the benefits. But I also understand the hesitancy given the futility of the last wars we have been in.
I learned some excellent skills that landed me a job almost immediately after my enlistment ended. I put in some extra work to make that happen, such as using my leave to go to hiring sessions, so the job was basically waiting on me to arrive. Due to some creative word play, they put me into a different job even though we had a contract. It worked out in the end, but their version of contract isn’t probably what you think of when you hear the word contract. I enjoy some decent benefits now that I’m out. My GI Bill money partially funded some schooling that I wanted to attend, although the d!ckhead that I talked to on the phone when requesting the benefits actually told me I was stupid for going to a community college. Approximately 8 weeks later, I was making more money than the guy that told me I was stupid lol
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA IS ON THE MAP.!!!! SHOUTOUT TO THE TROOPS.!!!