Initiatives such as the Navy Community Service Program link service member volunteers with their communities and could help introduce more young people to the military. (U.S. Navy / Glen Sircy)
There’s no debate that China and Russia are the two U.S. national competitors on the world stage today, with additional concerns about North Korea, Iran, global terrorism, cyber attacks, transnational criminals, and the opioid epidemic. There also is no question the United States has the economic wherewithal—in terms of equipment, material, ships, planes, technology, etc.—to confront its existential threats. But the one critical component our military depends on for its global leadership is people, the continuous flow of men and women who volunteer to serve in all branches of the armed forces. And therein is an enormous potential national security threat: Many young Americans are either unwilling or unqualified to serve.
Pentagon 2017 data indicates almost three-quarters of the 17-to-24 age group (24 million of 34 million) is ineligible for recruitment into the military because of major deficiencies: poor education, criminal records, histories of substance abuse, substandard physical fitness, or poor health (specifically obesity). Some or all of these could easily be categorized as “extensive disabilities,” thus qualifying as exemptions and rendering a national service draft essentially useless.
This isn’t news. Army Recruiting Commander Major General Jeffery Snow noted in the February 2018 Military Officer magazine the “shrinking pool of eligible prospects,” and said he struggles to meet an 80,000-person recruiting goal. To make matters worse, the National Defense Authorization Act signed in December 2017 authorized an increase of 20,000 personnel across all branches of the armed forces over their existing accession recruiting goals.
In the case of the U.S. Navy, there are some notable programs designed to work in conjunction with the public education system that could both help reduce recruiting deficiencies and enhance civic appreciation of the U.S. armed forces.
Established in 1992 and expanded in 2007, the Navy Community Service Program (NCSP) was initiated to help create a citizenry better informed, better prepared, more engaged, and ready to support the nation. NCSP encourages Navy and Marine Corps volunteers to join with other military services and civilian organizations to help communities with issues affecting the nation’s youth in five flagship areas:
• Education, social and life skills, and vocational guidance
• Health, safety, and fitness
• Environmental initiatives aimed at awareness, preservation, restoration, and enhancement
• Campaign Drug Free, which addresses the dangers of substance abuse and promotes demand-reduction education in coordination with local school districts and other civilian entities
• Project Good Neighbor, which promotes volunteerism within communities to improve the health and welfare of those in need
The military might see a positive impact on recruitment were it to participate more actively with educators and parents to prepare America’s youth to become military service members. In addition to NCSP, the defense establishment could equip and train volunteer role models to educate and interact with young people; promote and enhance high school Junior ROTC programs; or encourage a military presence in the nation’s schools, especially at times such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
Major General Snow concluded in a 2017 Heritage Foundation and Mission: Readiness panel on recruiting: “I don’t think it’s a challenge that we can’t overcome.” But it will take a joint, all-hands, community service effort.
Today’s and tomorrow’s generations of American youth are the most precious and valuable resources for the nation’s future security. The Navy’s NCSP program should be enhanced and expanded to all active-duty military commands and within all Reserve and Guard communities. It’s a commitment that should be considered Job One—for the sake of the armed services and for the safeguarding of our nation.