Have you ever wondered just how many people have served in the armed forces? You may be able to find data indicating how large the military is at any given time, but you’re interested in the bigger picture. You want to know how many people have served in the past, as well.
It’s interesting because this has changed a lot over the years. If you go back to the 1960s, for instance, you will find that anywhere from 40% to 50% of men in the U.S. had been in the military in some capacity. Fast forward to today, and reports claim that the percentage has fallen so far that it’s now a mere 7%.
Moreover, that 7% appears to include people who have close family members in the armed forces.
Why were officials studying this? They were trying to figure out how to recruit more people into the military. In the past, one of their strongest methods has been getting young people whose family members had already served.
That worked well on the heels of World War II when so many people had family members who had just fought in the war. Now, though, with so few people connecting to the military through their families, recruiters felt like they needed to broaden their approach. They felt they weren’t getting enough talent or attracting enough new recruits.
It will be interesting to see if they find a way to bring in more of the talent they’re after, as it could lead to a corresponding rise in veterans’ issues for those who serve. It will be important for those individuals to know all of their legal rights.
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