A Broken Army

This is a matter that should concern all Americans. The Army is broken and our national security is jeopardized because of it.

From today's NYT,

Young Army officers, including growing numbers of captains who leave as soon as their initial commitment is fulfilled, are bailing out of active-duty service at rates that have alarmed senior officers. Last year, more than a third of the West Point class of 2000 left active duty at the earliest possible moment, after completing their five-year obligation.

It was the second year in a row of worsening retention numbers, apparently marking the end of a burst of patriotic fervor during which junior officers chose continued military service at unusually high rates.

The West Point graduates represent the best and brightest of our Army command; they are the future senior officers of the Army and we're losing an entire generation. It's difficult to exaggerate the significance of this.