The Navy is experiencing similar shortages, with mid-level officers and trained Petty Officers leaving the service in droves. In 1998, the Fleet was short 7,000 sailors to man its ships. Retention and recruiting problems are complex. The robust economy explains part of the shortfall in recruiting and keeping trained service members. But other factors are also important.
Morale is low among active duty troops.
Many service members do not have much faith or confidence in the military leadership. Service members do not believe that the military leadership is looking out for them. Many military people resent the social engineering that is being pushed down their throats. They resent spending more time in sensitivity training being told how to deal with women and homosexuals in their ranks than they spend training in their combat specialties. Pay is low.