Every branch of the military is struggling to make its 2022 recruiting goals, officials say

NBC News ^ | June 27, 2022 | By Courtney Kube and Molly Boigon

[Night Hides Not]

The military is mostly white men.

Gator, that was never my experience. In Air Defense Artillery, the demographics were generally 1/3 each White, Black, Hispanic. With very few exceptions, I felt my soldiers and NCOs had my back 100%.

Was I a great leader? Hardly, I was a PITA after flunking my first ARTEP (tac eval). I learned how the game was played, and what I could get away with in most situations. My attitude was, if my neck's on the line, then let me do my job and stay out of my way.

My trump card was that I knew I would never make it to Major, so no 20 years. I did 8, from 76-84, and I reached my objective, that of commanding a battery. My soldiers had my back, because they knew I had theirs.

Except for a few superiors who should never have been allowed near my soldiers, the Army treated me very well. My assignment in Germany was unique: air base defense, which meant being on AF bases for 4 years, the closest thing to civilian life there was. It afforded me the opportunity to live in a small town along the Mosel River, home to world class Riesling.

Having said all that, I've counselled my 20 YO son (and numerous nephews) to stay the heck away from the military. My son is 100% MAGA and a devout Catholic (lol, half-Hispanic, too). This is NOT the Army I knew. When I had difficulties with a battery commander, and by extension Battalion Commander, who had my back? It was the Group Commander, a Black Colonel who eventually made BG.

When I was shunted to the side over a dispute with another Captain, who offered me a job in his section? That's right, a Black Captain. The other officers on Battalion Staff were incredulous, i.e. why did you offer him a job? His answer: you'll find out.

When a LTC did his best to embarrass me at an outbriefing for a Nuclear Surety Inspection (long story), who had my back? None other than the Deputy CG of 32nd AADCOM, BG Archie Cannon. His first remarks after the evaluation team left the room were, "LT NHN, I'll take that hit for you. Anytime you want to give your soldiers extra training, you have my express permission." So ended one of the best days of my undistinguished military career...lol.

Apologies for the length. The fact that no one was relieved of command over Afghanistan told me the Courtney Massengales had run off the Sam Damons (see Once an Eagle). I simply can't recommend my son and nephews be led by staff pukes who know nothing about leadership.

Here's the real reason why recruiting is down: great leaders are no longer wanted in the military. Being a good officer doesn't mean saying "yes sir, no sir" all the time. It also means having the ability to speak out when necessary against orders that may be unlawful, or potentially put a soldier unnecessarily in harm's way.

Again, sorry for the length.