Media Criticism

It is easy for reporters and politicians to point to polling information while espousing an anti-war stance in dealing with Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign countries. We have turned “scientific�? polls by media outlets all over the ideological spectrum into gospel truth because we value numbers. It is important for the media to highlight the pulse of the military whenever we speak about the state of our national defenses.

Foreign Policy has conducted a survey of over 3,000 mid- and high-ranked officers from all service branches regarding the state of the U.S. military. I have cited Foreign Policy in past articles because it does a fantastic job of covering international issues from all points on the political spectrum. There are a few findings in the magazine’s U.S. Military Index that I want to highlight in this post that illuminate the direction needed by our next president in leading the Armed Forces.

The first subheader in the U.S. Military Index deals with America’s preparedness for “the next war.�? The results demonstrate the lack of confidence by military officers in Congress and the executive office in directing military might against other nations. The average officer did not see the United States as ascending above an average level of preparedness for combat in Syria, Iran, North Korea and the Taiwan Strait. The lowest rating for military preparedness for officers polled rested in Iran which should give every political leader pause before spewing vitriol.

The most interesting subheader in this Index was called “Filling the Ranks.�? We have experienced a decline in young people signing up for the military since going to war with Iraq in spring 2003. Our diminished military forces have led to strains throughout every service while forcing National Guard troops to leave home for the dangerous fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan. The soldiers interviewed by Foreign Policy voted overwhelmingly for allowing foreign permanent residents to serve in the military for full citizenship. There was also strong support for lowering education standards, increasing enlistment bonuses and increasing maximum age restrictions to bolster forces. Multiple solutions will need to be instituted in our enlistment of new soldiers if we want to maintain our warring ways.

Everyone concerned about the state of our armed forces should check out the entire report in Foreign Policy. We need to take a personal stake in the overall state of our military beyond relatives, friends and neighbors overseas. I have little hope that the current crop of U.S. Representatives and Senators will see reason when looking at a report formed from conversations with military officers.