Obesity Epidemic Hinders Recruitment, Poses National Security Risk – Biden’s DEI Policies Ineffective
The U.S. Military’s Recruitment Challenges and the Impact of Woke Ideology
The U.S. military is currently facing significant challenges in recruiting new soldiers, particularly in a nation grappling with a growing obesity problem among its young population. Unfortunately, President Joe Biden’s focus on pushing woke ideology on recruits instead of prioritizing combat training is exacerbating these issues.
One initiative that the U.S. Army has implemented is the Future Soldier Preparatory Course. This program sends recruits who are overweight to a 90-day training course at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, where they can shed the necessary weight to qualify for basic training. According to Military.com, 278 out of 989 recent basic training graduates came from this preparatory course.
However, the program is not limited to overweight recruits. It also includes an academic department that provides tutoring for recruits who failed the entrance exam in subjects like math. The goal is to help these recruits improve their academic scores to meet the requirements of the Army’s written test, known as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
The recruitment situation has become so dire that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have collaborated on an infographic titled “Unfit to Serve, Obesity and Physical Inactivity Are Impacting National Security.” The CDC reports that over one-third of young adults aged 17-24 are too heavy to serve in the military.
These initiatives are unfortunately necessary due to the alarming number of high school graduates who are not only overweight but also lack basic skills in math, science, English, and writing. The Pentagon has reported that 77 percent of Americans of recruitment age do not qualify for military service due to issues such as drug use, obesity, and mental or physical health problems.
Despite these efforts, the Army, Navy, and Air Force are projected to miss their recruiting goals for 2023, as reported by Military.com. The woke Pentagon is now scrambling to find ways to replenish its dwindling ranks.
Concerns have been raised about the ASVAB, prompting the Pentagon to make changes to the test. Calculators are now allowed during the math portion, and efforts have been made to address perceived biases. The Army Times reports that the ASVAB has faced criticism for being “racist” due to alleged bias towards white individuals.
In addition to modifying the ASVAB, the Pentagon has also lowered fitness requirements to attract more recruits. However, critics argue that the woke atmosphere created by Joe Biden’s Pentagon is driving potential recruits away. Military.com reported in March that the Pentagon’s diversity policies and fitness standards are contributing to the recruitment woes.
Conservatives, including GOP Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, are urging the Pentagon to abandon its woke DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies and refocus on teaching soldiers how to effectively engage in warfare. Waltz led a panel with the Heritage Foundation that found the Pentagon’s embrace of these policies undermines the military’s effectiveness.
Retired Col. Mitchell Swan, a Republican candidate for Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, criticized Biden’s military policies for weakening the country. Swan highlighted the military’s focus on gender dysphoria and woke training instead of preparing for potential conflicts.
Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado also voiced her concerns about Biden’s military when the Air Force celebrated “pride” month on social media. Boebert objected to the artwork that depicted an airman saluting the LGBT flag, emphasizing that the United States salutes one flag only.
It is evident that the Pentagon is continuously lowering standards and requirements for new recruits due to societal challenges. However, it is equally clear that the Pentagon is more interested in categorizing soldiers based on gender and sexual orientation than prioritizing essential skills such as health, education, and proficiency in math, which are crucial for high-tech jobs.
Biden’s military is failing the country in multiple ways. Perhaps the solution lies in refocusing on military training and abandoning the pursuit of left-wing social experiments.
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