How To Erode the World’s Greatest Military › American Greatness

This "erode" shit started a long time ago. I had a First Sgt that retired early in the 60's when he saw what was coming down the officer line! As soon as we both realized we were etsi'ng together that was one hell of a 3 day party! But he beared his soul to me and I became aware of a lot more shit than even I knew was going on and I was ASA.

I think Hanson misses a critical piece in his analysis: the (theoretical) end of major conflict. After 9/11 there was a rush on recruiter's offices. That initial fervor died down rather quickly, but it never went away entirely.

Yes, it's a family affair. But Johnny's great grandpappy fought the Germans in Normandy, his grandpappy got drafted into the 'Nam and Johnny's daddy signed up for the first gulf war (and it was over before he got to see combat). Johnny grew up with a military tradition, but it was a tradition of war. Now Johnny sees nothing. America had a shot at a juicy war, thinks Johnny, but they haven't done ANYTHING in Ukraine.

So, Johnny doesn't sign up. He doesn't see the need, because there is no war to fight. And his family is a family of WARRIORS, not peacetimers.

Both of my grandfather's were 1st generation Americans, so our family tradition only goes back to them. But both of my grandfathers served, as did my dad. WWII and Vietnam era, respectively. When it was my "time" I had no real reason to sign up. I had a very minor reason (serious girlfriend) not to. Once my GF dumped me I had no real reason to sign up, but also no reason not to. But I *did* have a family tradition so I figured what the hell?

But all it took was that one MINOR reason to keep me out, despite the family tradition. And today's kids have no shortage of minor reasons - and they no longer have the "need" of being at war to overcome those reasons.