The U.S. military has entered 2023 amid its largest recruiting crisis since the end of the Vietnam War, with the possibility of being short thousands of new recruits. This year’s National Defense Authorization Act cut the Army’s size by 30,000 personnel, and the Pentagon is employing multiple methods to improve recruitment, from trying to reach Generation Z through video games and video game streamers, to increasing cash enlistment bonuses and changing mottos and commercials.
Blame for these shortages has been put on cultural issues, the state of the economy and other factors such as obesity and additional disqualifiers. However, there has been little discussion and recognition of how systemic disparities that some service members face in the military affect their propensity to join and serve.
Black service members make up 16% of the armed forces, according to 2017 Department of Defense data. Prospective recruits from this demographic who could be critical to solving the military’s recruiting crisis may shy away from service due to ongoing disparities in the military justice system and health and career outcomes.
