U.S. military recruitment faces a crisis, as some say outdated medical standards disqualify millions of potential recruits, threatening national security.
But is the reality that America is just too unhealthy? That’s what RFK Jr has been saying…
At a Glance
- Only 23% of youth aged 17 to 24 qualify for military service without a waiver
- The Army missed its 2022 recruiting target by 20,844 enlistments
- Aligning recruiting and retention standards could reduce the need for waivers for up to 3.6 million candidates annually
- Current regulations disqualify those with ADHD history, affecting over 10% of American youths
- The FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act mandates a review of current medical standards
The Recruitment Crisis: A Threat to National Security
The U.S. military is facing a severe recruitment crisis that threatens our national security. With only 23% of youth aged 17 to 24 qualified to serve without a waiver, and a mere 10% expressing interest in military service, our armed forces are struggling to maintain their ranks. The Army, in particular, missed its 2022 recruiting target by a staggering 20,844 enlistments and is projected to fall short by 25,000 in 2023. This shortfall isn’t just a number—it’s a glaring weakness in our national defense that demands immediate attention.
The root of this crisis, according to some experts, lies in the outdated and inconsistent medical standards that govern military recruitment. These standards, which are stricter for new recruits than for active personnel, are filtering out a vast pool of potential candidates who could otherwise serve effectively. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth has identified fixing this recruiting problem as the top priority for 2023, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
But a starker reality presents a very real threat to America: we are too fat, too unhealthy, and constantly being poisoned by dangerous chemicals in our foods that are banned in America.
Outdated Standards: A Barrier to Service
The current medical standards for military recruitment are, according to some experts, woefully out of step with modern health trends and societal changes. Conditions like depression and anxiety disqualify recruits if they’ve sought treatment recently, despite these being common and often manageable issues. Even more concerning is the blanket disqualification of individuals with a history of ADHD, a condition that affects over 10% of American youths. These outdated policies are needlessly shrinking the pool of eligible recruits.
“The number one priority, in my mind, for [2023] is fixing our recruiting problem.” – Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth said.
Moreover, the discrepancy between recruitment and retention standards is glaring. In 2022, the military stopped automatically discharging servicemembers with HIV, yet recruits with asymptomatic HIV were only allowed after a court ruling. This inconsistency highlights the need for a comprehensive overhaul of medical standards to ensure they align with current medical knowledge and operational realities.
The Path Forward: Aligning Standards and Expanding the Recruit Pool
The solution to this recruitment crisis is clear: we need to Make America Healthy Again, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he will in his new role as secretary of Health and Human Services. But to others, the solution is lowering standards.
But the army says they won’t do it.
“We will not lower our standards,” U.S. Army senior leadership said.
We have four years for Kennedy to Make America Healthy Again – do you think he can do it?
