America Broke Its Own Military

6 hours ago

Donald Rumsfeld's speech on September 10, 2001, emphasized reforming the Pentagon bureaucracy, paving the way for privatization of military services.
After 9/11, Rumsfeld implemented 'Transformation,' reducing troop numbers and relying on private contractors, leading to a force imbalance in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Iraq invasion used smaller forces than recommended, causing a 'war within a war' with generals like Shinseki advocating for more troops for security.
To address recruitment shortages, the military lowered enlistment standards, allowing felons, drug users, and unfit individuals, compromising operational readiness.
Alternatives like reinstating the draft were rejected; instead, bonuses, National Guard call-ups, and relaxed regulations were used to fill ranks.
The changes led to long-term negative impacts, including atrocities linked to poorly screened soldiers and increased domestic safety risks.
By 2008, only one in three Americans met pre-9/11 enlistment standards, forcing profound and dangerous transformations in the military's composition.

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