Those who opposed the Iraq War from the get-go saw this coming. Children of the 2000's are now grown and don't want to risk being sent to war over false pretenses.
@@LilXancheXthe military-industrial complex is a real thing as a soldier I can tell you it exists but unfortunately the soldiers don't benefit it's the companies that do
Younger generations are just aware what to expect when joining the military. We are living in the age of information after all. People are not joining the army blindly anymore.
politicians should be in the front line. I almost joined 2001 but I realized, the politicians are staying home. 18 year old soldiers are dying but the politicians are using words? Politicians are not sending their kids in the front lines either. If politicians want to fight each other, they should do it like the olden days. Like Genghis Khan, in the front lines. Somethign like that.
I think it's much more about Young Americans been incredibly lazy even more lazy than their fat disgusting parents. But it would be nice to think that young Americans aren't going to get involved in this global terrorism that America keeps enforcing on the world
If you actually don't want people joining the military anymore than you should probably start brushing up on your Mandarin and learning how to use chopsticks.
@@riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip we aren't gonna ever be invaded by China. Mutually assured destruction assures that. So whats the point of our multi-trillion dollar a year military?
For every good successful military career story there are dozens of failures. Homelessness, depression, PTSD, physical long term injuries, divorces and bankruptcies are usually the stories that you'll see the most. Kids today are not stupid, they see how the government treats our vets and they make the right decision for not joining. Even vets warn their kids against joining.
I’m a third generation combat vet & told mine not join. I would have felt like a failure. We shouldn’t all have to keep starting at that same point. It’s time to break the cycle and for them to start a step ahead.
I served 15 years in the U.S. Army, climbing the ranks from Private( E-1) to Chief Warrant Officer (W-2) from 2002 to 2017, mostly in airborne units as a paratrooper. When I left the military due to service-connected disabilities, I never received adequate support from the VA. Not only did I have to leave the military with only 5 years left before I could retire, but I have been having to pay out of pocket for my own PTSD treatment because the VA classified my PTSD as a "mood disorder" because that is how they are able to avoid spending money on disabled veterans that have PTSD. So with 15 years of service including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the only thing I came out with is a bad back, bad knees, unstable mental health, and no retirement benefits. A few months ago I sold all of my guns because I have been struggling with thoughts of suicide; I know that I would have put a bullet in my own head by now if I kept them, I daydream about it constantly. It doesn't help that I can barely afford to pay my bills even with my full-time job as an HR Investigator. I am so sick of society; people always say that they support veterans but that is a lie; when you leave the military it's difficult to even get a job because civilian employers treat us like entry-level employees and they lowball our salary. I applied for several higher paying jobs that I am qualified for, but I get rejected every time because they don't seem to know that organizational management in the military does translate to business management in the civilian world. Society has abandoned the veteran population, every day I wake up just wishing I was dead; that is why I tell people that joining the military is not worth the sacrifice. I lost my marriage from deploying too frequently, I lost friends that were killed overseas, my health has rapidly deteriorated, I might lose my house this year, and the only real satisfaction that I get out of life is knowing that someday I am going to die.
Hire a VA lawyer. Most judges will rule in your favor for your mental health if you have a physical injury. Get the compensation you deserve. Good luck.
Yeah but but Republicans said we had to invade and occupy Iraq and Afghanistan. If we didn't fight them over there we would have to fight them here, remember? Republicans wouldn't make that up. They never lie.
All of the above. I served 15 years, medically retired and discouraged my kids from joining for those reasons. Particularly not taking care of our veterans, and the wars we choose to fight in. The lies that led us into Iraq created two generations of winter soldiers.
The military historically always has trouble recruiting when unemployment is low with everyone hiring who ever they can get young people from blue collar families have options right now. As a disabled Army vet I try to steer kids away from the military with the exception of the Air Force if they can get a good "MOS" job field to serve in.
As a combat vet I lost my best friend to suicide after we returned from our second tour. The average hovers around 20 per day. Civilians see this and are much more aware than in the past due to the internet and social media. After reading "War Is a Racket" (The Profit That Fuels Warfare) by Major General Smedley D. Butler I realized what we have been fighting for and more people are waking up.
Your best friend made the best decision in his life by taking his own life the world is better place with out murderers like him and yourself American military kills civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan
As a retired combat Vet, I approve of anyone NOT signing up; not the way they’ve propped up wars yet leave fellow 🇺🇸Americans🇺🇸 insecure, poor, hungry, homeless… literally in the dust. Happy 4th, everyone!
@@justinesagan178US military standards have risen due to technology: drones, AI, & so on. Top tier veterans are recruited by universities & corporations.
My grandfather was in the Navy and my father in the army. They both told me not to join, and I did. And I regretted ever since I did a full six years and it was hands-down the most radical thing I saw. Leadership sleeping with junior enlisted, riddled mentally ill soldiers, men and women constantly harassed and abused and no one even cares about it. I should have listened to the two generations telling me not to join
What a nightmare. Impossible going to a full scale war with other power with iron discipline or suicide combatants, even having less weapons, jet fighters or missiles. Our army cannot keep up in a battlefield within range. Just see Irak and Afghanistan.
Well don't worry they are focusing on more inclusiveness in the forces, trying to avoid sir and ma'am. And using more gender neutral salutation. So, yeah US forces are in safe hand ;)
Dude look how our veterans are treated. You think people want to end up in that boat. You really dont have to be a genius to figure out all the reasons why nobody is signing up
Veterans of where ? The middle east ? This is Why The Constitution does not allow government to keep standing army's. It's a total waste to let government do as it pleases.
@@meghan42 I wasn’t duped. I watched the invasion of Iraq at school when I was a junior in H.S. I had an idea of the war we were fighting. I didn’t have all the details and how deep everything went…but I wasn’t going for them. I was going for the other warfighters.
I'm an Army veteran and I hope it hits rock bottom. While you're in you are treated terribly (because you have very few rights and the ones you do have are hard to fight for), the food is horrible (unless you're on an AF base), and the housing wouldn't qualify for section 8 housing. I hope it gets so bad they are forced to treat troops like people, provide them with the quality of life that a person collecting life long disabilities should receive (everyone leaves with back, knee, shoulder, etc...issues), and finally do something about all the rapes.
That won’t happen, these people are evil. Instead they will institute a draft. When that happens, one can only hope that the amount of Officer fragging far exceeds the numbers in Vietnam.
As someone who is currently serving. It’s not worth it. I advise people to get out and not reenlist. There are better jobs outside of the military. The pain and struggle isn’t worth it.
My Dad is a vet and he begged me not to go. I wish I would have listened to him. I wasted 4yr of my life and didn't get anything I was promised by the recruiters. My career did not transfer over into the civilian world either. If you are reading this don't do it. You don't owe anything.
1) Pay better 2) Stop getting into wars all over the globe for corrupt politicians 3) Make sure they have a skill they can use outside of the military 4) Get rid of the woke and back to -> "Be All That You Can Be!" 5) Raise the standards ; nobody wants to be along side dumbasses.
You don’t owe anything, but you will still get an adventure of your lifetime and the social experience like no other, and getting paid doing it. Also getting PAID to go to college instead of racking up the student debt was nice too ;)
Nope. I know for a fact I came back a different person from Bagram and Nasiriyah. I miss my brothers and sisters, but it's not worth permanent mental issues.
As a veteran, I'm not surprised. I did 6 years and all of those years were extremely depressing. Now I can't even get an appointment at the VA without waiting 6 weeks or more. The younger generations aren't stupid. They see what's going on and they're not going to put themselves in a bad situation just for free college.
Maybe if we werent pumping trillions of dollars into the military and instead used that money for schools. The public, private and college school system could be paid for by taxes.. Theres a whole world of possibilities of helping your fellow countrymen when the U.S. ceases to be a warmongering greedy empire.
@@echochamber1234State Universities have been “For profit” for decades, you must be a child! I went to “State” decades ago, too expensive even back then, had to join the guard to pay for it….the same college is now over $20,000 a year for tuition!
Your dad deserved a better experience than what he clearly had. The military has so much funding, and yet it treats those who enlist so poorly. The institution itself needs a revamp.
@@zoyadulzura7490there’s a misconception that the funding we give our military actually goes to support the troops who are in it. Nearly 70% is just to pay Lockheed Martin, or Boeing, whoever to build new tanks and planes.
@louis-we3yi every president in the past 50+ years has treated the military as a disposal resource to be milked for corporate profits, that includes Trump, Obama, Bush 1 and 2, Clinton so on and so forth
"No draft" He means the poverty draft isn't pushing people into the military as their only choice. It's why I joined, and the reason my kids won't. Neither the pay or benefits are competitive and history has shown we have to fight tooth and nail for the benefits we earned. Look at how many died in poverty paying medical bills for over a decade fighting over burn pits.
military is a meat grinder, and everything they promise is designed to sound great to a kid, and that kid learns real quick that they just signed themselves to a grinder.
You people talk about it like it some sort of industry that needs to be there just stop starting wars and none of you people will be required . The world is sick to death of global terrorism caused by the Americans
If I was able to join, my starting rate would be $250/hour to fight for this laughably insufferable and comically evil excuse of a “UnItEd” country. A man can dream for fair pay and equal rights. You hear how comically evil that sounds? But it’s true.
Military families are a subset of the American population; there will always be people who mismanage their finances in the military just like there are in the general population. Many bases are “little Americas” where many families don’t even have to leave if they don’t want to. They have their own Walmart (Base Exchange) their own Grocery Store (Commissary), their own 7-11 (Shoppette/class six), their own dog parks, tennis courts and food courts, gyms, basketball courts, education centers …and if you live on an air force base, even pools and golf courses. That’s all before a single event the military puts on for families of service members. Yeah, some families struggle, but without knowing how that family spends, you can’t blame that on “a lack of military pay.”
@@tonefaulcon9729First of all they call this BS fighting for freedom. Who's coming to this country trying to take away the our freedom? Nobody! Who's the ones bringing the fighter jets, battleships and tanks? We are! We are the one starting the wars and interfering in other countries wars! I really don't blame them when they are told don't join the military!
My father served in the navy in the 90s and my father in law served in the Vietnam war. After seeing how the military has treated them, aside from all the other things I’ve seen. That made me see things for how they are. It’s not worth leaving your family to fight for leaders who won’t take care of everyone that served. I made up my mind that I’d rather do everything I can here for my family at the home front than to go to a foreign country to fight someone else’s oil war. My job is to serve and protect my wife and kids.
After watching my uncle lose his mind in Afghanistan Kandahar in 1997 without any benefit. Only therapy that made his PTSD” worst. Plus until this day the USA government has always forgotten about its veterans patriots. Good luck recruiting for the bankers. The people are the once’s in charge don’t forget that elites.
I enlisted from 2001 to 2004. My dad is a 20 year retired Vietnam Vet. I joined as an older recruit at 26. That being said, I told my son that the military wasn't an option for him when he turns 18. Joining the Army was the best decision I ever made, but I left with healed fractured hip socket joint and 10 percent disability. I've been reevaluated and I still get 10 percent even though I now have arthritis. The best thing joining the Army did for me was using the VA home loan. Without that, I would have never been able to my houses. The zero percent down was a lifesaver.
As a younger person not from the US, I have thought of joining my country's army, but decided against it in the end because of the elevated risk and the fear of loosing my personal freedom. I am currently pursuing higher education, mostly because that's where the money is at, but this comment made me think about what life is like in other places. Anyway, may I know why you think that joining the army was the best decision you ever made? Very curious, as the only "vet" I know served on a ship which didn't see any combat. (Sorry for the wall of text😅)
My grandson wanted to join the Army. After Biden was put in the office, I told him not to do it. He talked to other vets, and they told him the same thing !
Combat soldier here 2005- 2006, Iraq. I told my young teen son when I got back, that if entered any service, I would rather he served in the coast guard. At least doing that, he would be primarily serving the average citizen with rescues, navigation hazards and general safety on the water ways and at sea. I told him, unless he wanted to come back effed up like me. He has never even considered entering service. We rock it at defeating an enemy and conquering. Occupation? The way we conducted the occupations was utterly stupid. "Winning the hearts and minds"? What a farce. Doing things that actually did something for the general populace? Simple things like, ensuring the hospitals had power and supplies. Nope. Why spend money on a people that we conquered and try to actually build any trust with, when we have these massive Forward Operation Bases to build? Making contractors rich? Absolutely! So much wasted money. So much wasted lives - both there and the continuing suicides here. The VA is an inconvenient reminder of flawed and even failed foreign policy. We veterans are just the physical residual trash of that foreign policy. Thank you leadership on high. Y'all really effed things up, when it could have been so much more humane and productive. Instead, it was highly profitable for all those contractors. It apparently helped grease that GDP and stock markets for awhile. The one suggestion I have for the future (There will be another occupation one day, somewhere); Occupation forces need to be more like EMT's and help the healing of the common person in a nation we have conquered, instead of the "authoritarian" - looking for a fight - all the damned time. Being proactive instead of reactive. It was an honor to be target. Fiddler's Green
Bush the Younger was told we could not win. The military had learned from VietNam. He sent us into the mideast anyhow. Then, it was supposed to be just get Hussein and get out. The Hussein part went well, so well, Bush decided to stay and "fix" Iraq. HA! And it turns out that wasn't about avenging 9/11. It was protecting oil resources.
@@AFRO_KEENFirst of all they call this BS fighting for freedom. Who's coming to this country trying to take away the our freedom? Nobody! Who's the ones bringing the fighter jets, battleships and tanks? We are! We are the one starting the wars and interfering in other countries wars! I really don't blame them when they are told don't join the military!
As a millennial, I grew up watching the extreme mismanagement and bureaucracy of the VA for wounded vets and decided not to risk it. There are career opportunities through the military branches, but it's a major risk
@@amose32 I mean sure, to a point, every sector has it's risks. Some are more easily avoidable than others. Not getting PTSD from killing brown people overseas is a good place to start.
@@LuciusAurelius69 yet another LIE! I've changed my job 3xs and always pick where I'm going to be stationed. Quit lying join find out for yourself or shudddup
My stepdad had developed such severe PTSD from serving in the Military for over 26 years that I myself developed PTSD from how he treated me and my sibling. It destroyed our family and nearly my mental health as a whole.
Kids can get CPTSD from parents who were never in the military, but yeah, doubtless yours owned an arsenal and didn't hesitate to threaten you with it.
More like the "I hate it here" mentality where you guys would rather play Fortnite on your mothers wifi after your done making TikTok videos. No balls. At all.
@@thetraveler1182 you telling me I should be willing to fight and die for corrupt zillionaires and career politicians who couldn't care less? No thanks.
When I graduated high school, I was strongly considering joining the marine corps. During this time, I spoke to several family members who served to get advice, cheif of which being my great grandfather, who served as a marine during the Korean war. The general consensus between them all was that joining was not a good idea and to find other things to pursue. Seeing how the military gets treated, I'm glad I listened to my grandpa. To all who serve or have served, I salute you.
@thewatcher4552 I wouldn't say so. I trust my grandfather and his experiences, hence why I heeded his words. There is no use in dwelling. There is only use in using my time on this earth to the best of my ability, as it should be with us all. We all have our roles to play in the wheel of life, and our decisions are our own.
Simply put, The United States just isn’t a society worth fighting for anymore and until we see some change I don’t think we’ll see an improvement in recruiting numbers
22 years ago I was a Freshman in H.S. Four years later I was in boot camp…then two years later I was in Iraq. Today I still feel like I am there mentally. And for what?!
I'm a veteran and I wouldn't want to serve alongside a conscript. Period. Part of the reason people hesitate to serve is because they see how poorly veterans that come back from war are taken care of. The colonel laments the fact that 9/11 did not motivate people to enlist in as great a volume as did Pearl Harbor-- well, politicians in Congress nowadays have to be publicly shamed before they will provide legislation to permanently take care of 9/11 first responders dying of terminal cancer. Many politicians are not willing to approve legislation to make it easier for veterans to file medical claims. I don't think it's simply a problem of a younger public that is unwilling to serve.
Also because the US has a history of starting and getting involved in unnecessary wars and conflicts. Look at how Biden left Afghanistan, don't think that can't be a factor for anybody.
The younger generation is getting exceptionally good at understanding the personal cost/benefits ratio of things like going to college and military service. We are spending billions on the latest tools and gadgets that the military doesn’t even fully utilize while also churning out veterans who can’t find a job or have extreme difficulty reintegrating with society.
Yes. The U.S. doesn't need to bring back the draft--it needs to find ways to appeal to people who understand what they are getting into. If the military must use force, trickery, or misinformation in order to recruit, then that speaks volumes about the quality of the U.S. military. They have the job to make people *want* to serve, and be proud that they did.
I still think it is a viable option if you are just getting out of High School, and don't have a plan what to do with your life. If you play your cards right, you can serve 4 years, plan to get out and go to school and have it paid for. considering the cost of college these days. Not to mention getting the guarantee Home loan. But seeing how the government treats Veterans, I can see why Gen Z are refusing to do it today. They'll take their chances the old fashion way, and I honestly can't blame them.
@@zoyadulzura7490no, we as citizens of a free society owe a service to said society. Freedom comes with a cost that must be paid by those that enjoy it or they'll lose the luxury.
@@Certifiably_Unhinged A parent who tells their child that the child owes them something for having brought them into this world is a bad parent. The same with a nation. But if the parent is good to the child, the child will love the parent and take care of them when the time comes. Same with residents joining the military. And besides, joining the military is just one of many ways a person can work to take care of their society.
As a retired 30-year Army combat vet, I cannot recommend any of my family members or friends to join today's military. The current Generals, Admirals and the senior civilian leadership broke it, so THEY need to fix it... Not my problem, and there is ZERO chance of me adopting it either.
Glad I didn’t join as well. All my buddies/cousins were 4 years or less and out. Just because you’re not a veteran doesn’t mean you wouldn’t give your life for your country. We can still defend America if we ever have too 🇺🇸 Lots of minutemen here.
@@CheznriceThat’s a pretty high rank for someone in the Air Force with only 13 years, she must be good. Once she makes E-8, she becomes like an office manager. I retired from the Army as an E-8.
One of the best decisions I ever made. It afforded me many opportunities & experiences I don’t think I would have otherwise. I saw this coming a decade ago when I ETS’d. The US military is at their weakest & most vulnerable right now. Honestly, you would make more working at Wal-Mart than being an E-1 through E-4 & the new generations just aren’t willing to be government tools for mere pennies when they could make millions from being influencers on social media. 😅
Don't regret my time in service. 2 combat deployment, college degree, great career, no injury. It's for some, not for all. I would want my kids to join, but it's their choice, not my
@@simplymotivated1511 My grandfather told me about a officer that got fragged in his platoon. He was a replacement and lead them into 3 really bad ambushes by going against the words and thoughts of his more experienced subordinates because "Im a west point grad, I know a thing or two". One guy snapped and got him in the middle of the night.
I served, and unfortunately I was bullied out by some of my superiors (NCO). I am not a troublemaker and have always tried to keep my head down, but I was deemed too good at my job and made them nervous at how well I managed every extra job responsibility they threw at me. It took being setup to take blame for missing information on a patient procedure that had been dumped on me when I was supposed to be on lunch break to finally get me in enough trouble to get kicked out. Sad thing was that everyone I worked with knew what was going on, but couldn’t get proof to help me out. My coworkers were happy to see me go because it meant I would no longer have to targeted and could move on to better things with my life.
Were you by chance MASH or a nurse, had a similar experience happen to me with a non profit position, and it’s things like this that make me hesitant to try and enlist, attempting to go Med Serve though
It’s all narcissistic garbage all over but the medical side is a little more treacherous in my opinion. I came over from infantry and I had good NCO habits. One of the soldiers had a serious problem with IBS so I went to see them (female) in the hospital. The command flipped totally out. This specialist said all kind of high ranking people were coming up to her on breaks and at vending machines just to let her know how welcome and OK it would be if she had anything to say about SA.
Ehhhh...."they bullied me because I was too good at my job" is exactly what incompetent narcissists say...every time I run into someone whose people skills.are so bad that they're ruining their career, they have some narrative like "they are just intimidated by me because I'm so good". Nobody who is actually operating at a high level says stuff like that, it's just a weird thing to say.
I recently got our after doing 13 years in the navy. I also served in Afghanistan for a year in a joint mission. I did a total of eight deployments.I couldn’t take it anymore after getting stuck out to sea during covid for ten months straight. I was literally harassed and bullied every single day by my leader. When I tried to talk to someone over them I was told I was “to interesting” and that’s when I knew that I could do it anymore. If you want to sign up for torment, harassment, and stalking then go ahead. It’s not worth the mental abuse. Just do a few years and get out of you have to go!!
This is one of the reasons I didn’t join the Navy. I met dudes after ETS who did nothing but clean ships and get bullied by racists. Their entire military careers consisted of cleaning up after other men on ships.
struggle to recruit. wonder why. huh. what could it be?? I know so many vets who can't even get their rent paid, not to mention proper respect at the VA's office. Too little is done for when people come back, so why would you expect someone to give up everything, be traumatized for the rest of their life, only to come home and be treated like a parasite???
Well it's a job. So you get pay and benefits and housing for very reasonable costs. You have a lot of benefits working for the federal government and it's a volunteer army so that's why people would do it. You have health care for life. Maybe it's not what you're looking for, but you have access to it and you will everyday for the rest of your life. Not to mention the GI bill. You know what you're signing up for. And if you don't that's on you.
@@angle5520everything you say is correct, however! that still doesn’t change the fact that just because you sign up to to serve your country family and All who live there, you still shouldn’t be treated like dog water
@@Ronnie_Darko00 I guess as a civilian I see it differently. Every business I've ever walked into has some type of discount for veterans. You could spend your day going from business to business and get a discount every time. That's a lot of savings in one day. How exactly are you treated like dog water? You act like all of those benefits are available to every person in this country. I just don't think you realize how fortunate you are. On my end my gratitude is never-ending, but that doesn't mean you're above anyone. you get paid to do a job. A dangerous job, but it's the choice you made.
Life is a parasite write off if you play your money against government taxation like business dose. The employed actually get taken the worst by government taxation.
My dad served 31 years in the Navy, he actually died while active and was about to retire. I remember before graduating high school I thought about joining the Air Force or navy, but dad convinced me not to and just go to school.
Honestly, my leadership was beyond trash. NCO's (not all of them) are literal bullies and highly unprofessional. I would have stayed, but the experience at my unit made me want to run back home and that I did. There are good aspects of the military, but it really depends on what job or career path you take. The military can be fulfilling and amazing, but all it takes is one bad leader to ruin a good soldier, airmen, and every other one that's new to the service. I don't regret going to the Army, but I would definitely tell my kids to choose a different branch and career path if they wanted to join.
When I ETSd, I jumped over to the Air Guard from the Army. Night and day difference, and it really just came down to the mindset of leadership. The grass was in fact greener.
Truthfully I thank every veteran who reads this .. I’m sorry that some of you have to endure after effects for a country that doesn’t truly appreciate the effort and blood sweat and tears … y’all are the definition of a human being willing to be front and center for others …. Y’all do more than the government could ever dream of doing and I salute you one million percent!
@@gryph01First of all they call this BS fighting for freedom. Who's coming to this country trying to take away the our freedom? Nobody! Who's the ones bringing the fighter jets, battleships and tanks? We are! We are the one starting the wars and interfering in other countries wars! I really don't blame them when they are told don't join the military!
12 years in...it's not worth sacrificing your body and having to argue against the VA about WHY you need disability after. Young folks save yourselves and your bodies.
Joining the military used to be a smart call, if you knew what you were doing. You could receive top flight training in any number of in-demand fields, from computer sciences to vehicular repair. As a civilian, after you finished your time, you got priority, when applying for a position. Then, during the Bush administration (2001-2008) they started recalling folks who’d done their time. This caused massive amounts of disruption in the workforce. Within two years, being a vet took you from being 1st pick to being a prohibitive hire. When you couple this with the very real possibility of grievous bodily harm and/or death, why would you ever sign on the dotted line? If they want more to join, the military’s going to have to change its ways. It’s going to have to start showing personnel real respect and not just saving that for when, God forbid, they die in service.
I work in the oil and gas industry. We always prioritize veterans and have had veterans only job fairs. The oilfields want and respect military because it’s a tough job and military folks get it and don’t end up quitting the first time they are asked to work an extra hitch or some OT. I’ve worked with many vets and also had a couple of supervisors that were either retired military or had several years. All great guys to work with and for.
@@joefrederick6471 - not military, but am still glad to hear this. Those are hard jobs, but they’re good paying jobs. You can solidly provide for a family, if you have one, working those jobs. That’s always a good thing. At least it is to me.
Veteran Employment Assistance of the Private Sector Market Is As Bigoted As Veteran Assistance of any other United States' Department of Defense Enlistment Employment, of any Military Branch Not Enlisted In, of the Public Sector Market.😶. Respectively. Tanika Nakeya Lewis, 6127
My father served in Vietnam along with my uncle. As far a I can tell, this country doesn't take care of it's veterans. He tells me all about the V.A. and what he goes through with them. He will drive hours to the V.A. to get blood work done and somehow they lose his paperwork and he has to come back and do it again. Not to mention, they would rather give him prescriptions pills then actual preventative treatment, it's ridiculous
Yes Im 61 and saw many Vietnam Veterans die on streets of Los Angeles growing up. I worked for a non profit we would sell things via telephone for sleeping bags and other things they might need. Back then there was no help for homeless people, or compassion.😢😢😢😢
If you join the military you're essentially providing the service up front, what's the incentive for the gov. to take care of you after your service? That would take funds away from cutting checks to welfare recipients who stay home and play video games all day and the liberals can't have that...
@@Chad_Maxyou seem to have very little understanding about how money works. The military budget is +/- three quarters of the us budget. The social services budget is part of that last 25%. And welfare comes from the sliver of the budget that went to social services. People who qualify for welfare don’t have time to sit home and play video games. Being poor is a lot of work.
@@Chad_Max george w. bush had a republican controlled congress in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, yet the VA was arguably at its worst. funding for the VA did not get a meaningful increase until 2008, when barack obama was president. the VA budget doubled during his presidency. so tell me again about liberals not taking care of veterans. refer to page 4 of the congressional report on VA appropriations: crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46964
As a retired veteran, I don’t think these kids want to go through what I went through which was not the worst. I still haven’t signed on to that burn pit registry yet; man, that was the blackest smoke I ever saw in my life on our FOB in Iraq. Used to go running by it every day, I hope I’m okay. Besides the deployments, how about day to day active duty life, like the time the army removed all the stalls from the bathroom in Grafenwoer, Germany? They were tired of people writing not so nice things on the walls. We could all see each other sitting on our own toilets, except we were all staring at the ground, especially when someone got up to leave. Our American kids today are not going to put up with that……
I told my doctor at VA last January I wanted to do the burn pit toxic materials registry, but they aren't really doing that since announcing it last December. When I called a bit later asking why I haven't been given an appointment date, they said the program is backed up. You won't get taken care. Sorry bud.
I've lost friends, mentally and physically, to those wars. I never met my grandfather, who served in Germany during world war 2, because a hospital would not take his VA benefits due to government slowdowns, that cost him much needed healthcare and he died far too young.
Well stop starting wars and this won't be a problem . You started World War 1 which in turn started World War 2 you're constantly creating wars so that you can make money or interfering in wars that have nothing to do with you to sell your bright shiny new military equipment. Just stop starting wars and all this goes away it is the Americans that are stopping world peace no one else
The fact that the Patriotic Republicans keep trying to cut spending that supports Veterans has something to do with it. Many of us older Veterans remember what it was like when the VA was terribly underfunded.
The same people that want you to risk your life for petty politics and unnecessary conflicts are the same people that don't support healthcare improvements for Americans. Ironic when you think about it.
My grandfather was a WW2 combat vet in the pacific Theater. He said it best before he passed away - “when I served, we were defending our country. Those who serve today are defending some rich guy’s bank account.”
@@varg8696 Germany had officially declared war on the USA and German U-Boats were sinking American ships within sight of east coast beaches. The Germans were also trying to build bombers capable of crossing the ocean to bomb US cities.
If you want to spend 4 years doing working parties (military jargon for chores), cleaning your barracks room for days on end, getting yelled at for no reason, hurrying up then waiting around for no reason (like getting up at 4 am for company formation only to go to the range at 10 am), being incessantly insulted, being treated like a sewer rat for not intending to re-enlist, then by all means, enlist. Watching congress, mainly republicans, talk about slashing VA funding also adds to the stress even after you get out!
@@randyboisa6367 Well, if you look at the record, it's mainly republicans that threaten the VA. The last 22% cut in the VA budget was done under this Republican controlled Congress. Also look at the burn pit bill, it was all republicans who resisted it.
@@randyboisa6367because its true it’s something you can look up rather quick, they were also trying to take away the “serve for citizenship “ that’s how I got my citizenship as a veteran now.
Oh, you're still partisan shill... A servant to the uniparty. Neocons own your party and your tribal mentality. Biden=Bush, you're just too much of a hyena to realize.
I remember a wife of someone serving whose house was being foreclosed while the husband was ducking bullets overseas! They don't get help when they come back! When the country needs your help, you provide it, when you need your country to help you no one remembers you! It should be a two-way!
They don't care. Look how they treated them after Vietnam. The war was stupid but we shouldn't have blamed the soldiers. I can't believe that I ever supported the idea of Mandatory Military Service!
@@JacobK-j8yMy grandfather went to Vietnam. His name is Linwood William Moore. He earned a Bronze Star when he was in country. He didn’t talk of it much, but I’m sure he was called everything in the book, to include ni&&er. I later joined and went to Iraq twice. My grandfather saw me come home once. He gave me a hug in his wheelchair and whispered something in my ear… He died in July 2009…six months before I went back the second time. We are forgotten.
I don’t want to be mean but where was the soldier’s paycheck going to when the foreclosure was happening? The military is a job at the end of the day, nobody is over there for free. Low pay is one thing but not paying your bills isn’t the militaries fault.
Joined Army @ 17 they told me go airborne you can pick where you want to go, the first lie severed 8 years , in my 6th year I was headed to BLC but my E-6 kept pushing my date back so I changed units trying to push for my sergeant rank, in my 8th year I gave up after that E-7 gave someone else my slot. I ended up going to school and getting 100% disability cause of PTSD and my Injuries on the knees. I own a barbershop now and also have 2 incomes ,proud with the decision I made was a uphill battle for a black man trying to prove a point to people who could care less and replace you
As an 18 year old kid 20+ years ago ready to sign my life away.....Im glad I listened to my jarhead dad who told me not to. Have yet to regret that time I listened to the ol' man. I am definitely telling my kids the same thing, too many better opportunities in life for them.
@@blackdan0259 The leader ship for one, they have crap housing crap pay crap working hours crap health care the list goes on and on Walmart has better benefits and pays better than the military.
Audit the money going to military contractors is a good first step. Take care of our soldiers with good equipment and good pay. Take care of our veterans after they come home. Stop letting private, corporate interests dictate military action. Audit the money going to military contractors, please!!
@@Tinman-1 Amen Brother. My pay was so awesome as soon as we PCS'd to Hood my wife was approved for WIC and Food Stamps. We just starved for 3 years in Germany. "You don't need no housing, no pay, or no healthcare, soldier. All you need is a rifle and a ruck sack."
Not only recruitment, but retention as well. Our military preaches a lot of values that a lot of soldiers don't really care about, you'll be surprised that even high ranks don't really care. For my experience, it's a toxic environment filled with discrimination and racism. Leaders only care about there career progress most of the time. A lot of great soldiers that has potential leave because they don't get recognized, instead they get worked more. Only a few, but not everyone in the military really care about anybody who's serving with them. I got a few months left and I'm tapping.
It's not just that they don't care. In fact I'd argue that at first most do care, but when you have to live by a code , only to see the organization and people that taught you that code ignore it completely, you become jaded and sick of the hypocrisy and double standards, a d you start to wonder why should I live by these values when no else does? Not saying it's right, but most people don't start out that way.
@@michaelrivera2080 well in the military side you never really clock out, you can get called in anytime. If some of these leaders don't like you because you want to do the right thing every time, expect those calls more often even on your weekend in the middle of the night.
I did 6 years and 2 combat tours and I’ve been fighting hard for my disability compensation and I’ve met “vets” that’s never even made it to their duty stations getting 90% compensation crazy
File a claim NOW and use the PACT Act as “medical evidence” it’s easier than ever to get connected. I know what you mean. I’ve met “Marines” who washed out of boot, never served active duty and never deployed but stick their chests out like gods gift to the world. File that claim and get your benefits
I retired out after 22 years. The amount of WOKENESS has been increasing. Mandated sensitivity classes, forced acceptance of transgender, but denial of religious liberty. Add in dubious missions, bad leaders that drop pallets of money on our potential enemies, why would anyone serve?
When I was a junior enlisted combat engineer on the way to NTC, the battalion commander gathered the entire battalion in the brigade gymnasium. He divided us into four groups: junior enlisted living in the barracks, married soldiers, single soldiers with children, and soldiers married to another service member. He started off by addressing those of us in the first group. He told us we should consider ourselves lucky that he let us live in his barracks. He then turned his back on us and addressed the other three groups regarding all the ways that a rotation to Ft Irwin was going to affect them and their dependents. There were far too many leaders like this.
In my family, every first born son since the War of The Spanish Succession has served in the military (US, UK, and France). I ended that tradition for several reasons, but the biggest two are that i make more money as a civilian, and my current job is far less dangerous than the military. There are also political reasons, but they're secondary
After seeing two of my uncle's going into a downward spiral after serving, plus the recent Vanessa Guillen incident and the Lakeesha Johnson incident (who was killed but the Army determined cause of death as 'suicide') the military seems more like a depressing death trap than a viable career.
This is what happens with abuse of power, the rapes, the hazings, the harassment. Bring back honor and respect and watch the recruitment problem goes away. And, no we do not have respect with the way the armed forces and law enforcement is behaving.
I served in the coast guard in New Orleans. Was there for Hurricane Katrina. That event and a few others messed my head up pretty hard. Got my honorable discharge and went back to civilian life. Or tried to. Hyper vigilance, ptsd, and major anxiety problems made it impossible to keep a job. No employer wants to deal with a guy with “issues”. I wasn’t even told about the VA until I was out for 5 years. It took me another 6 years to get disability pension. My kids have seen what my service time did to me and don’t want anything to do with it. I don’t want it for them either. I’ve told them the good, bad, and ugly. And the good just doesn’t balance the rest.
Don't listen to these other commenters. They couldn't imagine working for days to save thousands of stranded, nor the horror of witnessing the aftermath of an event that killed over a thousand people. I see you and hear you.
I have two good friends who joined the Marines from 2013-2019 They finished off depressed, uncertain and troubled with some benefits they were supposedly provided by the military that never pulled through.. don’t know details but one of them told me it’s only worth it if you literally got nothing else going on after high school if you’re young. His overall rating was a 5/10
@2jz97and words of wisdom hurt people like to see others hurt. Anyone been in the military will not today advise you to join if they do that's because they want to see you join to become Miserable as they are don't do it young man
@2jz97bruh you literally could be doin anything else. Just find a decent job for now until you find the hobby you like. I really hope you're parents aren't forcing you to go into the military. That would be terrible
The U.S. Military and the U.S. Healthcare system have a lot in common. First, politicians who are paid by lobbyist to act only in the interest of big money. Second, private contractors, and large corporations overbilling for tools, equipment, and services to extremes. Third, severely undervalued staff. Fourth, a lot of people suffering and dying unnecessarily. 🤔😒
Hopefully not college that’s a pyramid scheme to get you in debt so your a slave to money so the government can keep you moving the machine. Money binds freedom sometimes.
Imagine being upset that people have better options than going overseas and killing strangers. Imagine using the words "free country" and "obligation to serve" in the same sentence. Imagine asking people to serve in an organization that will abandon you when you are no longer useful. Oh, wait, that last one isn't just the military...
I am a navy veteran myself, but I certainly understand why a lot of young people are not interested in joining the military, especially with the upcoming wars that are about to happen.
2018 is when the recruitment problem started. The never ending wars started in 2001. Exactly 17 years later the problems start. 17 years old is when recruiters start talking to kids. Coincidence?
Thank you to all the veterans sharing their stories and an experiences. Honesty and transparency is important to the growth and development of a country and Hopefully that will help future generations stay safe
Military recruiters will keep lying to them and making bait and switch deals where they work with you for weeks or months then on the day you go to sign your first contract tell you that job is no longer available, no time to reconsider, just sign here no bonus for your new job buddy
@@theprecipiceofreason Then why do you sign it? That is the thing, it is their issues working you up for months only to bail on the last minute, why do you have to sign if the deal you working up for months is different when you try to sign the dotted line? You making it sound like it is their fault while you yourself is the one who bring it upon yourself to sign the wrong deal you working on with them for months! It is not like they lying when they put a paper to sign in front of you! You can simply decline! Yea, they may be some buthurt here and there but none of that is your problem, no? Coming from the username of precipice of reason, your comment sounds very petty immature though, no lie!
@@blackdan0259 someone on the internet who has no context for real life social manipulation. So. Rare. What a fresh and unexpected perspective you offer.
Seeing and hearing how they treat injured or retired Military Veterans at V.A. Hospitals 🏥 are disappointing. Waiting months for a doctor's appointment is horrific. 😔
That hasn’t been the case in many years now. The VA healthcare system is one of the best in the world. Anyone waiting over x amount of time for an appointment is eligible for free care in the community. It’s also easier than ever to get compensated for service connected disabilities thanks to the PACT ACT.
Don’t get me wrong the U.S is an awesome country with great opportunities. Thanks to the countless men and women who sacrificed their lives, we have this great nation. But do people seriously expect to have a high number of recruits when the Payment is not glamorous and America has constantly been involved in arbitrarily absurd wars ever since Vietnam
I applied. They didn’t want me cause of something trivial. I said no problem; got my degree started my career and am better off having not made it into the military. I also ended up in government work so I can see the dysfunction in these branches from afar. I can see the frustration on the part of the people serving. There’s a lot they could do to improve people’s experiences if they were to join which would then boost enlistment levels.
