The number of youths being recruited in the US army is dwindling by the day. During the financial year of 2022, a total of 45 thousand youths were recruited in the army, while the government’s target was to recruit 60 thousand youths. As far as the number of recruitments are concerned, this was the worst year after 1973. As per Christine Warmouth, Secretary of the US army, the US army may have to shut down some of its units due to the shortage of soldiers.
Along with which, national guards and the reserve army may have to go to general duty. The COVID-19 pandemic is being believed to be a major reason behind the reducing recruitments. As per experts, youths who completed their school education online and spent less time with friends, are taking more time in making the decision of getting into the army or going to college.
This year, the percentage of eligible youths recruited in the army reduced from 29 to 23%. Out of these eligible 23%, a mere 9% want to go into the army. A negative impact on the number of recruitments has also been made by the army’s policy of compulsory COVID vaccination.
The army is facing competition in recruiting the youth from private companies. The private companies are enticing the youth by offering higher salaries and bonuses. As a counter to this, the army is giving the recruited youths posting at their preferred places, and they are being given a bonus of 35 thousand dollars. And with the change in the tattoo policy, youths who have tattooed their bodies can also be a part of the army.
