In a recent Gallup poll published on Monday, alarming trends have emerged regarding the plummeting levels of confidence in the US military among American citizens. The poll reveals that trust in the armed forces has hit its lowest point since 1997, presenting an unprecedented recruitment crisis for the nation's military services.
Over the past two years, public trust in the military has declined by ten points, leading to widespread concerns among military leaders and policymakers. The June poll indicated that only 60% of respondents expressed "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the military, a significant drop from 64% the previous year. This figure is the lowest recorded level since 1988 when confidence stood at a mere 58%.
The post-9/11 period had seen a surge in public support for the US military, with an impressive 82% approval rate when President George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Subsequent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, coupled with ongoing controversies surrounding military policies, have resulted in a steady decline in public approval since 2020.
Historically, Republicans had been more likely to rally behind the military than Democrats. Nonetheless, the poll indicates a striking shift in this pattern, as Republican confidence in the military has dramatically decreased from 91% in 2020 to a current level of 68%. This shift may be attributed, in part, to growing criticism from Republican politicians and pundits against the Pentagon, particularly concerning vaccine mandates, 'woke' politics, and military policies related to transgender troops, critical race theory, and gendered language.
The Biden administration's actions and decisions regarding the military have also come under intense scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum. Notably, the withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, which resulted in casualties and equipment falling into the hands of the Taliban, drew harsh criticism from various quarters.
The declining public support for the US military is having tangible repercussions on its recruitment efforts. Military leaders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force have expressed concerns about missing recruitment targets this year, highlighting the severity of the situation. The Pentagon's study conducted in March revealed that a staggering 80% of 17-24 year olds targeted by military recruiters were deemed physically unfit for service due to issues such as obesity, drug use, or poor mental health. The study found that only a mere 9% of individuals within this age group expressed any interest in joining the military, as reported by Army Secretary Christine Wormuth.