Defense officials revealed that the military significantly missed recruitment goals in the most recent fiscal year, a phenomenon which continues amid broader societal upheaval and perceived ideological compromise among top brass.

Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Vazirani revealed that the military services fell short of recruitment objectives by 41,000 individuals in fiscal year 2023. The Marine Corps and Space Force were the only two branches to reach their recruiting goals.

Vazirani attributed the lackluster recruitment figures during recent testimony before the House Armed Services Committee to a prevalent “low trust in many institutions” among young Americans, as well as decreasing numbers of Americans who have parents or other family members with experience in the military. He also pointed to increased levels of obesity and a robust labor market which provides options beyond military service. Officials who lead manpower and reserve affairs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force offered similar testimony.

“We need the help of leaders across the nation to cultivate a national spirit of service and reach and engage with a broader share of youth with a positive message about the opportunity and benefits of military service, as well as national service and public service, as America needs the contributions of all forms of service to the nation,” Vazirani continued in his testimony. “We must fulfill our collective responsibility to maintain the combat-credible military force needed to deter war and protect the security of our nation.”

Low recruitment comes as confidence in the military fell to the lowest level observed in two decades, according to a recent survey from Gallup. Only 60% of respondents to the survey said that they have confidence in the military, constituting the lowest degree of trust since 1997.

Gallup observed that public perceptions of the military have “fluctuated dramatically” in recent decades amid the end of the Cold War, the aftermath of the Gulf War, and the conclusion of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Joe Biden ordered a withdrawal from Afghanistan two years ago which resulted in the immediate collapse of the nation’s government at the hands of the Taliban even as significant amounts of American military equipment were left in the country.

Perception of liberal drift among conservatives, a demographic historically more likely to serve in the armed forces, has also contributed to lackluster recruitment. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has repeatedly lauded “Pride Month” celebrations, while House Republicans recently failed to defund recognitions of homosexuality and transgenderism in an appropriations act.

Military officials also implemented a vaccine mandate which led to threats of punishment and discharges for service members deemed noncompliant. Recruiters for the Army recently sent a letter to soldiers who were involuntarily separated from the military due to the vaccine mandate, informing them that they can now apply to rejoin amid the recruitment shortfall.