Soldiers negotiate a wire obstacle during an assault to secure a mock village as part of premobilization training on Fort Drum, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2011. Army National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Peter Towse Defense-Cut Projections Seen As Risk To Recruitment -- Washington Times
Looming defense budget cuts not only threaten new weapons, ships and planes, but also endanger the all-volunteer force itself.
The Pentagon has been able to attract high-quality recruits by offering a buffet of financial goodies: free college education, lifetime pension checks after 20 years of service, and access to low-cost health care for retirees.
But analysts warn that projected defense cuts of $1 trillion over 10 years would force the Pentagon to curtail such inducements, which would weaken its ability to attract sufficient high-quality personnel for the 2.2-million-strong active and reserve force.
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My Comment: Sadly .... with defense cuts and a lack of money in the system for recruitment .... we are now witnessing the end of an all-volunteer force. Soldiers have families and responsibilities .... if they cannot meet the basics, they will then look for alternative employment. The end result .... a depleted military filled with individuals who will only look at the military as a short term step to something better rather than a career.