NYT: "Young Officers Leaving Army at a High Rate"

article from the New York Times

The headline from this article pretty much says it all. However, it's worth thinking about. I've been arguing that the draft will come back because of a shortage 'at the bottom' - in the rank and file troops where enlistment numbers have been markedly shrinking even as enticements grow. And that's still the case.

However, this article presents a different problem: dwindling numbers at the top. If you think it's tough to draft Privates, you can't imagine how tough it is to draft Second Lieutenants.
By definition they need to be smarter, more experienced, better trained, and better equipped to lead. Translation: they have huge opportunities in life compared to the average grunt who enlists. That means the armed forces are going to have to seriously up the ante to get and retain these people.

And just in case you think this is an isolated problem, read the article: the numbers cut across West Point grads, ROTC grads, and existing officers. At greater rates than ever they're leaving the armed forces at the earliest possible moment.

More food for thought...