As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the globe, a number of societal, economic and health deficiencies are being abruptly exposed. One of these concerns is the danger associated with the National Guard and Army Reserve components of the U.S. military being forced to continually shoulder immense operational burdens due to an ever-shrinking active force.
The extensive use of this shrinking force is a national security risk that must be addressed as personnel from the National Guard and the Army Reserve are again being heavily relied upon as the nation responds to COVID-19.
Since the COVID outbreak, nearly 4,400 military medical personnel have been called on to support civilian medical efforts throughout the U.S. This number does not include the additional 57,000 active-duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel who have been summoned to respond to the pandemic in a variety of other capacities.
Most of the wartime medical capability is in the reserves, particularly in the Army Reserve. As these medical units are mobilized and sent to COVID-19 “hot spots,” they take medical reservists away from their civilian medical activities, thus weakening some localities while strengthening others.
Since 1975, the Army’s actual personnel levels have declined by more than 300,000. Much of this decline is traced back to the shrinking of the Army’s recruiting pool. Currently, less than 30% of Americans from ages 17 to 24 qualify for military service based on failure to meet recruiting standards in areas such as weight, fitness, education and criminal records. Out of the estimated 35 million Americans between the ages of 17 to 24 in 2018, 24.9 million were unqualified to serve.
There is likely a correlation between the shrinking pool of eligible recruits and the increase in obesity rates of Americans from ages 18 to 24. From 2011 to 2018, the obesity rate in Americans aged 18 to 24 rose from 15.2% to 18.1%.
The lack of desire to join the Army is the other main factor contributing to the shrinking recruiting pool. From 1987 to 2015, the overall propensity to serve in the military declined by 5%, which equates to 1.3 million individuals. Out of the 35 million Americans between the ages of 17to 24 in 2018, a staggering 29.8 million were unwilling to serve.
There is a valid argument in the case of the Army Reserve and National Guard that the lack of desire to join may stem from the increased operational burden that bearing and the impact that it is having on their civilian lives. More deployments mean more time away from their civilian jobs, which causes significant career disadvantage. Potential career disadvantages could undoubtedly lead to a lack of desire to join or rejoin the military which in turn weakens our national security.
This trend is backward. Joining the military should not be seen as a career deficit, but as the opposite, a distinct career advantage. Military experience can equip potential employees with specialized training in highly sought after industries while heightening skills like discipline and leadership.
No one party is at fault for this situation just like no one party can solve the situation on their own. Finding a solution for a problem of this complexity and magnitude will require the collaboration of our military, policymakers, corporations and us as the general public.
At this point, the best way to help is to further educate ourselves and those around us about the situation. As more people become educated on this issue we increase our chances of being able to find an innovative and effective solution.
Peter Cooke
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Peter S. Cooke, served in the Army Reserve for 39 years and retired as the commanding general of the 96th Regional Readiness Command, which included Colorado, Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, California and Utah.