Thanks for the info on the housing situation. Sounds a little risking trying to flip a house in three years especially in today's housing climate. I believe Marine Crops Air Stations are usually not in very booming areas so I dont know If I like the sound of making an investment like that.
And I fail to see how many of you think that we can attract the best applicants by using the marketing slogan "yea it sucks but its about service." I know I grew up witnessing pointless wars with many dead that have left us in a worse situation than before. I dont want to sacrifice if thats what my sacrifice is for. I know I have no say in this as 0-1 and I will suck it up and do my job to the best of my abilities without thinking about the greater plan. I dont know any other accepted candidates who agree that our service and sacrifice is for the greater good.
Now the old "we dont promise you a rose garden" slogan is fine for attracting applicants who want a challenge but ignoring other factors of why people serve is stupid. The nature of warfare has changed. Pilots are already obsolete in a variety of roles. I dont even know why the f-35 exists at this point. The most valuable recruit is no longer the classic full metal jacket marine. We need to attract candidates with skills, computer skills in particular. How do we expect to recruit the kids graduating from Standford right now? They probably are much more liberal than I am and see military conflicts of today as unethical. They do not want to sacrifice for that. That is why I am saying we need to aim to change the structure of the military that has failed to change in decades.
The U.S. military in the past has adjusted to change rapidly out of necessity and now has become too slow moving and adverse to any change that needs to be made. It will change and soon.
Have you even met any military members, enlisted or officer? We're doing just fine on the quality front. I don't know where all these newly-graduated wunderkinds making millions and changing the world are coming from, but they certainly weren't in college when I was there. IMHO, if you're all that and a bag of chips there are few things that will appeal to you more than being a military officer. Money has never motivated a truly great individual anyway. Challenge and adventure, on the other hand...