A new study reveals a significant decline since 2016 that less than one-third of American military people would advise a person to join.
The study, which was conducted by Blue Star People in partnership with Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military People, received over 7, 400 messages between May and July of last year. The study, which is described as the “most complete” of its kind, involves reactions from existing service members, veterans, National Guard people, Reserve people, and military families.
Only 32 % of military family members, according to the Blue Star Families 2023 study, may suggest enlisting in the U.S. government. Survey respondents cited good- of- life issues, such as bad job opportunities for defense spouses, housing concerns, and weak physical and mental health care services, as some of the latest issues facing military families.
” Potential to propose military assistance is declining”, Blue Star People noted. The proportion of active-duty family members who were most likely to recommend military service has dropped by nearly half from 2016, when it was only 55 % to 32 % in 2023.
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According to the findings of the Blue Star Families study, the length of time members are required to expend aside from their families is the main concern for active-duty service people. The study also highlighted the effects of prices on military families, with some respondents citing low martial pay as a major factor in food and housing insecurity.
One active-duty Army family claimed,” We are still in credit card debt from our PCS.” ” Cost of living is rising. My younger children require balanced diets. My whole money as a civilian is used for child care. We avoid where we can and get cheap foods.
According to the survey, 48 % of active-duty military families acknowledged having financial stress brought on by the cost of housing, while 73 % of respondents said they had to pay out of pocket for civilian housing.
Both experienced veterans and senior spouses stated that access to the Veterans Affairs health care systems was their best concern, while civilian knowledge of experienced issues and employment difficulties were even mentioned as best concerns by U.S. veterans.
” This data shows that continual quality- of- life problems such as spouse unemployment, minimal child care, housing costs, and health care restrictions impact military families ‘ desire to continue their family history of service” , , Jessica Solid, the senior director of applied research at Blue Star Families, said. The most important untapped potential to address the nation’s recruiting crisis is, however, military families. We must address the concerns and stories that military families shared with us through this research in order to save the All-Voluntary Force.
