Military Facts & Figures

[Gregory Matthews]

In part of our discussion of National Objectives & Policy,  It is common to discuss what should be the size of our military forces.

As a principle, the size of our military forces should be determined by the mission that is given to them.  E.G.  If the mission is to be prepared to fight on two fronts, at the same time [This is real life.]  the composition of our military forces will differ from that of fighting on one front.  This is just one example among others. 

In any case, in the U.S. it is civilian leaders who give the mission to the military.  With that mission in mind, the required number of people in the military can be determined and the required number of people who are needed each year to join the military can be established.

*  Each year, 250,000 new recruits are needed to join the U.S. military.  Yes that could change if the mission of the military were changed.

*  The new recruits for the military come from an age range of 17 - 21 years.

 * Currently (2015 figures)  The U.S. has some 20,000,000 people in the above age range.

* Of that figure, some 11,300,000 meet the required educational standards to join the military.

*  Of the above figure, some 4,400,000 are actually eligible to join.

*  Subtracting those who intend to go on to college and/or for other reasons we are left with a pool of 465,000 potential recruits.  However, as some 52% of parents are likely to recommend that their children do not join, the pool of potential recruits is further reduced.

*  Keeping in mind that the above recruit pool spans a multi-year age range, the U.S. is not prepared to sustain drawing the pool down at
250,000 per year.

As I have said:  When we send our men and women into battle, we must equip them with what is needed to perform their mission and then when we bring them home to provide them with all needed clinical care.

 

NOTE:  The above figures came from:  "All-Volunteer Force Challenges,"  Military Officer, November 2017, Page 33 & 34.