Americans have historically considered the military a source of national pride and leadership. Trust was built on the core values, discipline, and merit demanded by those who swore the oath of enlistment. The likes of George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower were leaders who were sharpened and prepared to serve their country while in the ranks.

This once-universal trust has unfortunately been broken: only 60% of Americans remain confident in our military, according to one recent survey from Gallup, marking the lowest level in two decades.

Our nation is running headfirst toward a new cold war. With the Russian Bear locked in a European ground conflict, China posturing in the South China Sea, and our southern border overwhelmed, the need for our all-volunteer force to be prepared and supported is great. Many Americans are nevertheless rightfully dismayed and questioning military leadership after the poorly executed exit from Afghanistan. Scenes of chaos at the Kabul airport, the abandonment of vital equipment, and the tragic loss of lives haunt our national psyche.

The erosion of military confidence, however, is not solely about one incident: it is rooted in a series of senior military leadership decisions that have undermined the military’s capabilities and morale over time. These incidents include the imposition of the experimental COVID vaccine, followed by the mass denial of religious exemptions and the subsequent purge of thousands of soldiers.

Our nation is running headfirst toward a new cold war. Many Americans are nevertheless rightfully dismayed and questioning military leadership.

To combat the self-inflicted recruitment and retention deficit, the Biden administration rejected an admission of guilt and instead promoted fringe ideologies, such as using a crossdressing petty officer to boost recruitment. These moves have not only failed but, as the survey from Gallup shows, have dropped conservative trust in the military by 23% in only three years. Considering that over 40% of recruits come from the conservative-leaning southern states and that the vast majority of Americans oppose transgender ideology, it leaves citizens stunned at what is motivating these actions.

Another failure has been the consistent reduction or waiving of standards. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has overseen the Navy changing its guidelines to accept as many as 20% of its recruits from the lowest allowable mental aptitude percentiles. The Army has reduced physical standards for women, and Austin has changed policy to allow personnel with HIV to deploy overseas. All of this has occurred while one out of five service members are clinically obese.

The United States Special Operations Command has a list of truths, the first of which applies across the Defense Department: “The right people, highly trained and working as a team, will accomplish the mission with the equipment available. On the other hand, the best equipment in the world cannot compensate for a lack of the right people.”

While the drop in trust and respect for the military is disheartening, this trend is a deserving consequence. We must swiftly address the political correctness and soft standards that have permeated our armed forces.

To combat the self-inflicted recruitment and retention deficit, the Biden administration rejected an admission of guilt and instead promoted fringe ideologies.

It is vital to reinstate a meritocracy. Promotions should only be based on competence and dedication rather than capitulation to ideological agendas and conformity to reduced standards. Additionally, we must support the few lawmakers who are demanding accountability. Congress has grown too comfortable shelling out money and withholding criticism from the Defense Department in return for rosy platitudes from the press on their patriotism.

A robust military is the best deterrent against aggression. Speaking softly and carrying a big stick only works if the man carrying that stick is fully intact. It does not work, and most certainly does not inspire trust, if the man is dressed in a gown and wearing lipstick.

The decline in confidence in our military is concerning. We must acknowledge and learn from our mistakes by advocating for transparency and accountability.

Remember that the military's strength lies in its lethality. Restore the mutual trust between soldiers and commanders. Reject the injection of political ideologies that coddle those unfit for service. A shared commitment to these principles will restore faith in our military and ensure it remains a formidable force for defending our cherished nation.