For decades, military service in the United States has been a family tradition, passed down through generations. Many of the nation’s enlisted personnel come from households where parents, grandparents, or siblings have also served.

Recent data, however, suggests a sharp decline in recruitment from these legacy families, adding to the broader challenges the U.S. military faces in meeting enlistment goals.

At the heart of this decline is growing disillusionment stemming from America’s involvement in prolonged and controversial wars, including Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Veterans who once encouraged their children to serve are now discouraging enlistment, citing government mismanagement, inadequate veteran care, and the moral complexities of these conflicts.

A Tradition in Decline

The military has long relied on a self-replenishing cycle of service. According to Pentagon estimates, roughly 80 percent of new enlistees came from military families in 2019. Over the past decade, however, that number has steadily decreased.

In 2023, only 67 percent of new recruits had military family ties—a significant drop from previous generations.

Recruitment officers report increasing reluctance from parents who served in past conflicts to support their children’s enlistment.

Catalina Gasper, a U.S. Navy veteran, said she would do everything she could to keep her children from joining the military. “I just don’t see how it’s sustainable if the machine keeps chewing up and spitting out [our young people],” she said.

The Lingering Impact of Past Wars

While each generation of service members has faced challenges, those who served in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan bore the brunt of prolonged, costly wars that ended without clear victories.

The chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, in particular, left a lasting impression on both veterans and the general public, raising questions about the purpose and effectiveness of U.S. military interventions.

Vietnam War veterans, who returned home to a deeply divided nation, often cautioned their children against enlisting. Many were met with resentment upon their return, as public opinion on the war remained polarized. The conflict, widely regarded as America’s first major military defeat, left many veterans feeling disillusioned.

Likewise, those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan have grown increasingly skeptical of U.S. foreign policy, having witnessed firsthand the cost of war in human lives, physical and psychological trauma, and the strain on their families.

Mike Prysner, a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 10th Mountain Division, gained national attention in 2021 after confronting former President George W. Bush at an event in Beverly Hills.

Prysner accused Bush of responsibility for the deaths of “more than a million Iraqis” and the loss of American service members—whether in combat, from injuries sustained years later, or by suicide.

Recruitment Struggles Amid Broader Challenges

The declining interest in military service among legacy families comes at a time when overall recruitment numbers are already faltering. The Army, Navy, and Air Force have all missed recent recruiting goals, with factors such as a shrinking pool of eligible candidates, shifting cultural attitudes toward military service, and economic alternatives contributing to the shortfall.

Additionally, concerns about military leadership, political interference, and quality-of-life issues—including low pay, housing shortages, and reports of toxic command environments—have further discouraged enlistment.

Public trust in the military has also declined. According to a 2022 poll by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, only 48 percent of Americans reported having “a great deal of trust” in the armed forces, down from 70 percent in 2018.

Nearly half of respondents cited the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as a primary reason for their declining confidence.

What Lies Ahead?

With fewer military families continuing the tradition of service, the Pentagon faces a recruitment crisis that could have long-term consequences for national security.

In response, military leaders are rethinking their strategies and attempting to expand their recruiting pool beyond legacy enlistees. New outreach efforts focus on high schools, community colleges, and urban centers, though the effectiveness of these initiatives remains uncertain.

Some experts argue that restoring faith in military service requires the government to rebuild trust with veterans and their families. This includes improving veteran healthcare, ensuring service members receive adequate support, and reevaluating the nation’s approach to military engagements abroad.

As the U.S. military grapples with these challenges, one point is clear: the days of automatic enlistment among military families are fading. If the trend continues, the armed forces may have to look beyond tradition and fundamentally rethink how they recruit the next generation of soldiers.