"Patriotism, in our great nation, is dying." :(
Patriotism isn't dying. Americans are dying for a country not our own. That will have a negative effect on recruiting every time.
"Patriotism isn't dying. Americans are dying for a country not our own. That will have a negative effect on recruiting every time."
I joined the Army right at the end of Viet Nam. And yes, I watched the TV news, and knew how the media, even back then, was smearing America. It was basically "standing room only" and it was tough to get in then.
I served all the way through Operation Desert Storm, and our recruiters were having no problem signing people up before, during and after while we pushed Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait (a country that is "not our own.")
"Americans dying for a country not our own" wasn't a problem during that timeframe. I think you'll see a regrouping and our ranks will still be at capacity. Not above, but at.
It won't be easy, because of the reasons I listed in my earlier post, but with the tide turning and Conservativism gaining a better foothold, all is not lost.