In recent years, a decline in young people’s interest in a military career has become evident. To better understand this phenomenon, several young people were interviewed, aged between 20 and 25, with different academic and professional backgrounds. Their responses revealed not only a distancing from the military institution, but also a set of perceptions, expectations and values that help explain this reality and that can indicate ways to reverse it.
What do young people say?
One of the most recurring ideas in the interviews was the lack of identification with a military career. Many young people claim that they “do not see themselves” in the traditional image of the Armed Forces, associating it with excessive rigidity, an inflexible hierarchy and reduced individual freedom. For a generation that values autonomy, creativity and balance between personal and professional life, this perception acts as a strong driving factor.
Another frequently mentioned point was the little visibility of real opportunities offered by the military career. Several interviewees admitted that they were unaware of existing specializations, progression possibilities, technical and academic training or even professional opportunities after military service. For many, the imagination is limited to combat or exclusively operational functions, which does not correspond to the current diversity of the Armed Forces.
A financial issue also emerged as a relevant concern. Some young people consider that starting salaries are not competitive enough when compared to the private sector, especially taking into account the degree of physical and psychological demand, as well as the permanent availability associated with the profession.
Finally, the weight of a certain symbolic distancingnamely the idea that the military career belongs to “another generation”. Several young people mentioned that their parents and grandparents had a closer relationship with military service, while they themselves grew up in a context of prolonged peace, in which the need for the Armed Forces seems abstract or distant to them.
So how can we overcome this lack of interest?
In addition to the strategies already mentioned, many of the young people interviewed defended the need for a earliest approach between the military institution and civil society, starting from the first years of schooling.
From the opinions collected, it becomes clear that addressing the lack of interest among young people in a military career requires more than specific recruitment campaigns. A sustained strategy of cultural and communicational rapprochement.
Firstly, it matters modernize the narrative about the military career, showing that the Armed Forces are not just a space for discipline, but also for learning, technological innovation, teamwork and personal development. Areas such as cyber defense, engineering, health, logistics, communication or humanitarian support must be more visible and communicated in a language close to young people.
Secondly, the importance of direct contact. Practical experiences, such as open days, testimonies from young military personnel and an active presence in schools, universities and digital platforms, can contribute to breaking stereotypes and humanizing the institution.
One of the most consensual proposals among those interviewed was the introduction of a military or national defense subject into the school curriculumstarting from the 1st cycle. According to these young people, early contact would demystify the profession, explain in an educational way what the Armed Forces are, what their missions, values and areas of activity are, and combat stereotypes before they become consolidated. This is not about promoting child recruitment, but rather about forming informed citizens who are aware of the role of military institutions in a democratic society.
Associated with this idea, there was also the proposal to partial occupation of free time during school holidays through internships or short-term programs in military units. These experiences, of a voluntary nature, would allow young people direct contact with the military, its routines, demands and team spirit, contributing to a more realistic and closer view of the profession.
Another fundamental dimension lies in the appreciation of the individual journey. The young people interviewed reveal greater receptivity when the military career is presented as a stage in acquiring transferable skills, and not as a lifelong commitment. Recognizing and communicating strengths such as leadership, resilience and crisis management makes this option more appealing and, eventually, strategic in the design of contemporary professional trajectories.
The young people interviewed were also critical of the current National Defense Dayconsidering that, in its current form, it is neither motivating nor engaging enough for the majority of participants. Many reported that the experience is lived as a one-off obligation, with little real impact on the understanding of the military career or the awakening of vocations. Rethinking this day, making it more interactive, prolonged in time or integrated into a broader educational path, was highlighted as an opportunity that could be better utilized.
Finally, the need to attractive and transparent conditionsboth in terms of salary and the balance between personal and professional life. Demonstrating that the institution is attentive to social changes and willing to adapt is essential to gaining the trust of new generations.
Young people’s lack of interest in a military career is not the result of rejection, but above all of lack of knowledge, distancing and changing values. The interviews carried out show that there is room for rapprochement, as long as the Armed Forces know how to listen, communicate and evolve. Addressing this lack of interest involves speaking the language of young people, recognizing their concerns and showing that a military career can also be a modern, relevant path aligned with the challenges of the 21st century.
Leave a Reply