Exorcising the Ghost of GWOT: Understanding and Overcoming the Recruiting Crisis

The U.S. military is facing an unprecedented recruiting crisis, not seen since the height of the Iraq War. Complex factors such as public perception, societal fatigue from prolonged conflicts, and intense competition with the private sector are eroding the military's ability to meet recruitment goals. This issue is not just a matter of numbers—it's a matter of national security.

In our latest report, "Exorcising the Ghost of GWOT: Understanding and Overcoming the Recruiting Crisis," CSPC Senior Fellow Ethan Brown provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges impacting military recruitment today. The report delves into public skepticism, eligibility issues, and the broader societal shifts that have led to this crisis. It also outlines a series of recommendations for how the U.S. military and government can begin to rebuild trust and attract the next generation of service members.

publication details

• Author:

  The Hon. Glenn Nye, Ethan Brown, Robert Zackery, James Kittfield, Peter Sparding, Dan Mahaffee, Joshua Huminski, Erica Ngoenha, Daphne Nwobike, and Saakshi Phillip

• Publication date:

  August 2024

• Pages:

  28