Not here to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Random Stuff
What has changed for the US Armed Forces since the 1980s?
During the 80s there was a period of Cold War era peacetime stability. This has been replaced with undeclared/unwon wars that seem to come along more frequently now.
1980s – there was no recruiting crisis.
I went into the Marines in 1979. No war. No controversy. No thanks for your service (a good thing).
In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.
There were none.
Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store. Maybe the concept of Armistice Day had not gone completely extinct.
Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
2025
Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. Understandable why young people & their parents & grandparents would take a dim view on all this.
The DOD brand has been wrecked.
1980s
Uncle Sam was not dressing women to look like men. Has this had any positive or negative impact on recruiting?
The commissary was a proper benefit in the 1980s:
Working To Kill Commissaries 2024
MWR (used to be called special services in the USMC) was a better deal. Remember base auto hobby shops?
TRICARE
My memory is that there was no TRICARE in the 1980s. Today, TRICARE has a poor reputation.
What became of enlisted leaders?
If you did your homework back in May of 2024, you remember:
“We are committed to keeping all of our military families informed about your health plan, your choices, and ensuring a seamless transition to new contractors,” said Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, director of the DHA.
Source:
TRICARE Newsroom May 15, 2024
Q&A: What To Know as New TRICARE Contracts Begin in 2025
By TRICARE Communications
Original deadline:
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) and the two regional contractors in the East Region and West Region are currently transitioning to these new contracts to ensure health care delivery is ready for all beneficiaries on Jan. 1, 2025.
“…new contracts will improve health care delivery, quality, and access for beneficiaries living in the United States.”
It would be good to hear from the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on this.
1980s
Taking care of the troops was a big deal at one time. No recruiting crisis. What the hell happened?
Currently serving leadership brought us:
Military Barracks Blasted Over Horrid Living Conditions, Lack of Accountability
MOAA SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
Welcome Home Troops
My memory is that the National Guard was more about one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer plus a way to support your home state by being ready to get called out for floods, fires, natural disasters, civil unrest, etc. Maybe a way to help the next state over if they needed it.
Thousands of men and women who signed up for the National Guard in the past 25 years did tours in places like Syria, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.
The people of Alaska need services in the Middle East
During the Vietnam War, US troops were sent to Vietnam.
Today, the Ohio National Guard is sent to “support Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.”
Back in the 80s, it seemed like the flag was at half-mast less often.
1980s veterans may have signed up for the Army College Fund to earn cash for their education.
In 2024, Uncle Sam moves cash towards funding Student Loan Debt Relief.
Another big priority has been sending big cash to Ukraine several times over.
Your home state may also get in on the act:
KING 5 News Dec 11, 2024
Washington guarantees free in-state tuition for low-income students
“The state will also notify students as early as 10th grade if they’re eligible.”
Many comments here.
Old Uncle Sam, back in the 1980s (no DOD recruiting crisis) asked young people to sign up with the US Army to earn college money.
1980s Army College Fund – Dad Shows Support
1980s Veterans
Please help us now by encouraging your own kids, grandkids and a younger generation to go see a recruiter and sign up because right now we are dealing with an ongoing recruiting crisis.
Photo-
Something from the last century