Notes on Military Deployment, Neutrality, and Recruitment

Military Deployment and Political Neutrality

Concerns about the use of the military in ways that contradict the Constitution.
Emphasis on maintaining an apolitical military.
Questioning the deployment of troops against unarmed protesters.
Reference to a previous order to shoot at protesters' legs, which Secretary Esper refused.
Deployment of 4,700 troops to Los Angeles without the governor's consent.
Assertion that it's the first time since 1965 that guard troops have been deployed without the governor's permission.
Instances where the military was sent to protect protesters, not act against them.
Stressing that using the military should be the last resort, not the first.
Troops are given clear orders.
Troops are there to protect law enforcement and ICE officers.
Military personnel can temporarily detain individuals in self-defense and hand them over to ICE.
No authorization for the US military to arrest US personnel against members of the protest.
No authorization for US military cyber tools to investigate people participating in these protests.

Denial of any order to use lethal force against unarmed protesters.
Skepticism about claims made in books, except for the Bible.
Inquiry about day-after planning for potential actions in Iran, including force protection, ground troop use, and cost assessments.
Confirmation that plans exist for various scenarios.

Mission to remove politics and ideology from the military.
Increase in young Americans wanting to join the military.
Prior to President Trump's election, the military faced a recruitment crisis.
Army doubled its recruitment from November 2023 to November 2024.
Navy's recruitment skyrocketed 80% from November 2023 to November 2024.
Leadership, love for the country, and support for the troops influence recruitment.
Importance of clear missions, proper funding, and authorities for troops.
Emphasis on enforcing basics, standards, and readiness.
Best navy recruitment in twenty years, best army recruitment in fifteen years.
Staying true to the Constitution and core mission is crucial.
Emphasis on listening to soldiers and providing necessary support.
Young people's excitement about serving under President Trump and having a commander who will defend their interests.

Concerns about wokeness, the radical transgender movement, and abortion travel mandates.
A survey in 2023 that claimed that young Americans' fear of discrimination drove away more recruits, than than wokeness.
Every American wants to be treated as an individual, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Focus on rising to the challenge of service to the nation.

Chart showing recruitment trends from November 2023 to November 2024.
Suggestion that the ramp-up in recruitment occurred after election day in November 2024.
Claim that the election of Donald Trump influenced recruitment numbers.
Trump bump in recruitment while Biden is president.