Some US Army recruits have taken a bold move, taking to social media to complain about how badly they are treated in the service.
In a TikTok video viewed over 600,000 times, American soldier Anthony Laster from Chicago enumerated the cons of joining the military, including not getting enough pay and “shitty food.”
While on a mission and in military uniform, he also complained about having no privacy and not having enough rest.
Another serviceman named Treull lamented that some military officers allegedly abuse their power.
“You might have some [noncommissioned officers] on a power trip, and you can’t do nothing,” he said. “If they want to do something with you, they’re gonna do it.”
Treull also discouraged aspiring soldiers from joining the force, saying the physical demands are enough reason not to sign up.
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Additional Complaints
Servicewoman Itzel Hernandez called it stupid to join the military at 18 after having a “boujee” lifestyle as a civilian.
Now, she said she is forced to “sleep and shit out in the woods like an animal.”
She also shared that she had been criticized for being three pounds away from being overweight.
Dana Estrella also voiced her concerns, saying she was being required to show up to work even when she was not feeling well.
There were also instances when she unwillingly slept with a stranger.
Potential Implications
The sentiments aired on TikTok, a popular platform for members of Generation Z, could give a woeful impression to potential recruits about how the military treats its soldiers.
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Ashish Vazirani previously said Gen Zs have “low trust” in the force and lean more toward following traditional life and career paths.
Additionally, the complaints expressed by active-duty members could aggravate current recruitment issues.
The US missed its military recruitment goals in 2023 by a total of 41,000 personnel in all services.
Because of this, the country is entering 2024 with its smallest size of 1,284,500 active-duty servicemen in more than 80 years, or since the US entered the Second World War in 1941.
