Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has highlighted the severity of the military recruitment crisis in the United States, stating that it is more dangerous than we may realize. Last year, the military branches fell short of their annual recruitment goals by 41,000 recruits. This comes at a time when the nation is facing a new era of multipolar geopolitics, with China emerging as a powerful adversary.

Rubio emphasizes that the "peace dividend" is not looking promising for America in light of this recruitment crisis. As a response, he suggests a threefold approach for policymakers. The first step is to prioritize the well-being of active-duty service members and veterans, ensuring that they have trust in the government's commitment to their care. Congress has already made progress in this regard with the enactment of some laws, but the enforcement of these laws remains a challenge, particularly under the Biden Administration.

The second requirement, according to Rubio, is to keep woke politics out of the armed forces. He points out that provisions in this year's National Defense Authorization Act, such as a hiring freeze and salary cap on "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" bureaucrats at the Pentagon, are steps in the right direction.

Lastly, Rubio believes that policymakers need to do a better job of explaining the importance of the military to the American people. While the legacies of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts cannot be erased, it is crucial to remind Americans that defending the country is a noble calling. Rubio states, "We must accept them, for better and for worse, but we must also remind Americans that our country is very much in need of defense."

He warns that the next stage of the U.S.-China conflict could potentially be military in nature and stresses the importance of adequately staffing, equipping, and focusing the armed forces to keep Beijing at bay. Rubio calls upon those who understand the stakes to make them known and inspire the next generation of American heroes.

In conclusion, Senator Rubio urges policymakers to address the military recruitment crisis by prioritizing the care of service members and veterans, keeping woke politics out of the armed forces, and effectively communicating the importance of defending the nation. The recruitment crisis poses a significant threat in the face of rising geopolitical challenges, and immediate action is needed to ensure a strong and capable military.