What Keeps Veterans From Recommending Military Service

We don’t want the ones we love to risk their lives for leaders who can’t understand how precious those lives are (“Veterans Worsen Recruitment Crisis,” Page One, July 1). I was a U.S. soldier during Vietnam. I knew I could get killed, but even worse, that my death might mean nothing. That any sacrifice would be written off, when our leaders decided they had had enough. At the same time, I thought that our country couldn’t survive for long if people like me didn’t go when we were called. I went and hoped for the best.

In Afghanistan in 2021, our leaders decided to pull out. What, now, do the lives of everyone who has died there mean? Everyone who had counted on us was educated as to what their safety was worth to us. A veteran generally doesn’t want the ones he or she loves to have any part of our military right now. When things change, veterans will change, too.

Allan Collister

Berkeley, Calif.

With the Supreme Court ending college-debt relief, another door could open: College grads joining the military in exchange for loan forgiveness. The program already exists, although it might need some modification. This GI Bill would give students a chance to serve their country, while reducing the military’s recruitment woes.

Bob Johnson

Hendersonville, N.C.

Perhaps our armed services should re-evaluate their age requirements. There are plenty of older people in excellent shape with a wealth of knowledge and experience who might be interested in switching gears. Ages 40 and 50 look a lot different today than they did decades ago.

Kristina Henry

Easton, Md.

Our military and civilian leaders seem to despise traditional values and view with suspicion anyone who holds conservative views. Improved pay, housing and healthcare aren’t going to bring in recruits whose primary reason for joining has been love of country and family tradition.

Tom Ecker

Laguna Niguel, Calif.

I’m a disabled Vietnam vet. People don’t want to go into the military because they see the way vets are treated. I didn’t serve to spend the rest of my life sick and in poverty. Vets can’t walk down the street wearing a military cap in California without someone mouthing off to them.

The volunteer military has run its course. If it can’t recruit, we need mandatory service: Two years in the military or three years of community service. And for those with bone spurs and bum knees, we’ll find something for them to do.

Redlands, Calif.