Politics

[Altitude sickness]

This latest war will have an even greater impact on the world economy. A weak U.S. leader does not Help keep tyrants in check. Our military has been focused on LGTBQMOUSE instead of dealing with low retention and recruiting

This may be the third leg of the economy stool coming off.

 

[sestoppelman]

MSN

Hezbollah....

 

[Red Leg]

MSN

Hezbollah....

These are pinpricks. If they were serious, they would be firing a thousand rockets a day and their infantry would be trying to enter Northern Israel (and the Golani Brigade would be waiting for them.)

A diversionary effort is a different thing. I have no doubt that it is in Iran's interests to appear to Hamas to be helping them in the north by diverting Israeli (and the media's) attention.

The Israeli Army is designed to defeat two regional powers simultaneously. Killing terrorists is nothing like taking on the armor brigades of a state actor.

Again, we will likely know if they mean it very soon.

 

[sestoppelman]

These are pinpricks. If they were serious, they would be firing a thousand rockets a day and their infantry would be trying to enter Northern Israel (and the Golani Brigade would be waiting for them.)

A diversionary effort is a different thing. I have no doubt that it is in Iran's interests to appear to Hamas to be helping them in the north by diverting Israeli (and the media's) attention.

The Israeli Army is designed to defeat two regional powers simultaneously. Killing terrorists is nothing like taking on the armor brigades of a state actor.

Again, we will likely know if they mean it very soon.

I understand, just placed it here for information sakes. I dont know if you listened to the whole thing, but it seemed pretty clear that Israel believes that Iran is getting serious by sending men and weapons to Hezbollah in readiness to attack when Israel crosses over into Gaza.

 

[Red Leg]

I understand, just placed it here for information sakes. I dont know if you listened to the whole thing, but it seemed pretty clear that Israel believes that Iran is getting serious by sending men and weapons to Hezbollah in readiness to attack when Israel crosses over into Gaza.

Really good to see that man actually back at work.

Fox News journalist back on air after almost dying in Ukraine: 'I've got one leg, I've got no feet, I see through one eye'

Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall spent months in recovery after severe injuries in Ukraine. He told Fox News viewers to "fight for" their goals.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[WAB]

Polish pilots contributed significantly during the Battle of Britain.

And were royally screwed over by the Brits for their efforts.

 

[Doubleplay]

This latest war will have an even greater impact on the world economy. A weak U.S. leader does not Help keep tyrants in check. Our military has been focused on LGTBQMOUSE instead of dealing with low retention and recruiting

This may be the third leg of the economy stool coming off.

No need to worry about our military.
Low retention and recruiting only applies to certain branches and was always the case except when we were in war in Iraq and Afghanistan right after 9/11.
I can assure you Marines have no problems recruiting.

 

[mdwest]

The USMC is the ONLY branch of service currently meeting its recruiting goals. The army is projecting to end the year 15K short (consider that a division is typically a 10-15K sized unit, commanded by a Major General as a reference for how "big" 15K is as a number to the Army).. the USAF is going to end about 2.5K short.. and the USN is going to end about 7K short..

These are not insignificant numbers.. and when you factor in the RIF thats already occurring (there is a lessor need, and they STILL cant meet recruiting goals), and the fact that a substantial portion of those numbers are in critical MOS's where you cant just crank out a new troop in 16 weeks once recruiting picks back up.. the problem is not only real, but is extremely impactful on our readiness and our capability..

Throw on top of recruiting shortfalls things like a serious pilot shortage (not nearly enough qualified pilots available to keep all of the airframes operating.. not just in the military.. but globally across all aviation organizations) where disproportionate numbers of aviators are getting out of the military to pursue other options vs those coming in.. and the potential for some of those critical job skills and having EXPERIENCED people filling them if/when recruiting picks back up.. and the problem becomes a long term one that lasts for years even after the problem is solved..

 

[Doubleplay]

Recruiting problems are nothing new.
Most branches have not been meeting their goals for the last couple years and there are many reasons for that and have nothing to do with administrations:
First of all, the percentage of young Americans who are eligible to serve — who are physically fit enough, and who are mentally prepared to join the military — that pool has been shrinking over time. And now it's really only about 23% of people between 18 and 24 that meet our standards.

[Things like] a criminal record or maybe issues with depression or other things like that [remove someone from the running.]

Then also, the percentage of young Americans who are interested in joining the military has been declining over time. There was a big surge, obviously, when the country was attacked on 9/11, more than 20 years ago.

I think when you look at Generation Z, you see a lot of the declining trust in institutions. There's some skepticism. And so we've got to overcome all of that and help young people see all of the possibilities that are available in the United States military.

However on the positive side advancing technology like unmanned vehicles and platforms are making us cover some of the shortfalls.
Our amed forces are still the most powerful in the World.

 

[mdwest]

Recruiting shortfalls are certainly not something new.

They are however serious problems that warrant serious solutions.

We do indeed still have the most powerful armed forces in the world.

Those powerful armed services however require qualified personnel to man its ranks. It also needs a substantial number of those personnel to be experienced..

Recovering from multiple years of shortfalls takes multiple years to fix even after solutions are put in place and creates a unnecessary burden on those that serve as well as a significant vulnerability that those burdened personnel must endure in the event that a conflict arises…

Belittling the situation or discounting it because shortfalls have occurred before is a bit preposterous…

We’ve seen multiple economic recessions in the past… we all know that the economy is cyclical and that at some point we’ll face yet another one…

How many of us think a recession is no big deal and don’t care about the impact that will be felt by millions individually and the country as a whole when it does occur?

Or do we prefer an approach the avoids a recession as long as possible and softens the blow when it actually occurs?

The point being made by the post you quoted on the matter (prior to mine) is that the pentagons approach is one that is doing little to nothing to fix the problem… and the consequences of that approach could indeed be significant to both those currently serving and to the country as a whole..

 

[jpr9954]

snip

Throw on top of recruiting shortfalls things like a serious pilot shortage (not nearly enough qualified pilots available to keep all of the airframes operating.. not just in the military.. but globally across all aviation organizations) where disproportionate numbers of aviators are getting out of the military to pursue other options vs those coming in.. and the potential for some of those critical job skills and having EXPERIENCED people filling them if/when recruiting picks back up.. and the problem becomes a long term one that lasts for years even after the problem is solved..

My brother-in-law was forced to retire from Delta when he turned 65. He had been a 1st Officer and Captain with them for 30+ years. He was flying the 767 on international routes. He also flew as an IP and EF-111 pilot in the USAF for 8 years prior to Delta. He was in good physical shape and could have passed his flight med tests. The arbitrary retirement age tosses all that expertise out the window.

The only good thing about it is that he will be able to go to the Eastern Cape with me next June.

 

[Sourdough]

A second US Navy carrier battle group is heading to the eastern Mediterranean. The Dwight D Eisenhower and associated ships will add quiet a bit of gunship diplomacy to the area.

My son-in-law is in one and my grandson in the other. Politicians start wars and we are getting dangerously close to WWIII so take the appropriate precautions.

 

[Sourdough]

 

[geoff rath]

With Joes idea of help, I will pass. Worthless cur.

Almost as bad as Australia's leadership: Anthony Albanese, and crew ...

And were royally screwed over by the Brits for their efforts.

a British tradition?

 

[Ray B]

As a measure of the US military might some would look at the man at the top- and laugh.

 

[Red Leg]

I assume that Biden's trip to Israel includes a deliverable from the Netanyahu. Will be interesting to see what it is. The ground offensive has clearly been put on hold, and Hamas just released a video of terrified and pretty young Israeli hostage.

Mot sure that Netanyahu can back off "destruction of Hamas" and survive politically, but at this point, the deaths of 200 hostages would likely be as bad.

Additionally, the CENTCOM Combatant Commander, Michael Kurilla (a very able man), is headed to Israel for discussions. Should be a fascinating 72 hours.

 

[Red Leg]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1713411956592279780

 

[PARA45]

This is not going to help the Air Force retention or recruiting. We can't seem to learn from our mistakes.

The Air Force is launching an era of transformation. Can it work?

“It may be that we completely break the [Air Force Specialty Code] structure," said Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, the service's personnel chief.

www.airforcetimes.com

 

[Doubleplay]

Recruiting shortfalls are certainly not something new.

They are however serious problems that warrant serious solutions.

We do indeed still have the most powerful armed forces in the world.

Those powerful armed services however require qualified personnel to man its ranks. It also needs a substantial number of those personnel to be experienced..

Recovering from multiple years of shortfalls takes multiple years to fix even after solutions are put in place and creates a unnecessary burden on those that serve as well as a significant vulnerability that those burdened personnel must endure in the event that a conflict arises…

Belittling the situation or discounting it because shortfalls have occurred before is a bit preposterous…

We’ve seen multiple economic recessions in the past… we all know that the economy is cyclical and that at some point we’ll face yet another one…

How many of us think a recession is no big deal and don’t care about the impact that will be felt by millions individually and the country as a whole when it does occur?

Or do we prefer an approach the avoids a recession as long as possible and softens the blow when it actually occurs?

The point being made by the post you quoted on the matter (prior to mine) is that the pentagons approach is one that is doing little to nothing to fix the problem… and the consequences of that approach could indeed be significant to both those currently serving and to the country as a whole..

You are preaching to the choir.
My son is a USMC officer in his 17th year and a combat veteran with multiple back to back tours to places I don't even know.
Having said that how do you know Pentagon is doing nothing to fix the problem?
As far as I know they are trying their best to recruit and putting their best and brightest in recruiting commands to achieve the objective.
I personally know some of them at least on the USMC side
Do you also know that those recruiting station jobs are the places with highest pressure even more than some combat posts to achieve the quotes they require?
So much so that they can make or break someone's career in the military.
As I stated in my previous post, this a systematic generational problem and there's no quick fix to it unless we institute drafting again which might be considered at some point.

 

[Doubleplay]

I assume that Biden's trip to Israel includes a deliverable from the Netanyahu. Will be interesting to see what it is. The ground offensive has clearly been put on hold, and Hamas just released a video of terrified and pretty young Israeli hostage.

Mot sure that Netanyahu can back off "destruction of Hamas" and survive politically, but at this point, the deaths of 200 hostages would likely be as bad.

Additionally, the CENTCOM Combatant Commander, Michael Kurilla (a very able man), is headed to Israel for discussions. Should be a fascinating 72 hours.

Regardless of the outcome Netanyahu's days are numbered and he has some very serious court cases waiting for him on the other side.
Israel looks very united in the face of this terrible attack but in reality as you probably aware there's a lot of divisions between the government institutions and even within the general public.