By Janine Guidry, TRMLX.com
The military is looking at another year of missed goals when it comes to recruitment, and they have no one to blame but themselves.
Throughout the years, the military leadership has touted their ability to create a force that reflects the culture, and because of that, they argue, they are well equipped to deal with the nation’s security because they understand the nation they serve.
However, in recent years there has been a pivot away from this effort to reflect the culture from which military recruits come toward an effort to represent only the politically progressive Left.
It should come as no surprise that the majority of military recruits come from the three largest states: Texas, California, and Florida, with most coming from the South (41%), which is largely conservative and more traditional.
If the military wants to reflect the culture they recruit from, then it does not make sense to embrace, at all costs, a radical left-wing agenda.
Yet that is exactly what military leadership has done.
Their efforts to force leftist ideology onto the ranks are especially apparent this month, with June being “Pride” month. Each of the military branches is all in on showing its support for the sexual preferences of its members.
Even as corporations are reacting to pushback from the public and distancing themselves from their transgender or pride marketing and products, the Department of Defense persists.
This demonstrates that they are no longer interested in the culture that exists, but one they are hoping to help political leaders create.
The Army has recently adopted its old recruiting slogan “Be all that you can be.” While this is a familiar favorite, the subliminal message and undertone seem to resonate differently than they did in decades prior.
In today’s modern military, being all you can be means you can be anything: trans, gay, neurodivergent, non-binary, etc. But can you be openly religious in opposition to the agenda being imposed on you without fear of consequences?
With the introduction of mandatory transgender training in the military, commanders have the authority to order their soldiers to participate in these trainings.
Commanders also have incredible amounts of discretion when interpreting a soldier’s actions and determining any number of actions against them, which can instill fear in the hearts and minds of those who are morally conflicted.
Recent statements from Space Force Lt. Gen. Deanna Burt, deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear, has given the game away.
Her statements highlight that the Department of Defense is all in on the political effort to force the public to bend the knee to a radical ideological minority.
She stated,
“The diverse and inclusive tapestry of the Department of Defense must continue to embrace the LGBTQ+ community. A 2022 poll showed that almost 20% of people born between the years of 1997 and 2004 identify as LGBTQ+. That means that without proper policies, messaging, and allies, we are potentially alienating 20% of the key demographic and age group that we are looking to recruit. And remember the DoD is experiencing recruiting shortfalls across the entire enterprise.”
So what does the other 80% represent?
It seems military leadership is not at all concerned with alienating the majority while trying to entice the minority.
Comments such as those from Burt are missing their intended mark.
If looking at polls is a way to gather insight, another poll that should concern military leaders is the I&I/TIPP poll that shows 35% of those ages 18-24 are not “proud to be an American.” This is the exact demographic the military relies on for recruitment.
This attitude among young Americans could be the result of a number of factors: they’ve been led to believe the United States’ institutions are racist; they are anti-war; and they are heavily influenced by social media and perceived notions of America being oppressive.
The military is feeling the crunch of the last 10 years of political rhetoric condemning American exceptionalism, which distorts our history and creates social conflict where there was none.
The current cultural trend that the military wants to reflect is breeding weakness, selfishness, and ignorance of the history and necessity of American values.
If you do not believe that our country, our people, and our founding documents are the best in the world, then why would you fight for this country?
Janine Guidry is a researcher and writer with TRMLX.com, a military spouse, and an advocate for freedom in all forms.
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