The military’s recruiting crisis, Task Force Movement and more in June magazine

The military’s recruiting crisis, Task Force Movement and more in June magazine

The June issue of The American Legion Magazine is now online, with features on the Pentagon’s fight for qualified recruits, Task Force Movement’s aim to fill gaps in the trucking and cybersecurity fields, the Operation HEAL*ARIOUS comedy tour and more. The clickable digi-mag is available through MyLegion.org.

• In this month’s cover story, Steve Beynon looks at how rising obesity rates and a recruiting shortfall are threatening readiness, prompting the Army and Navy to launch programs to help the ineligible become eligible. “The military’s answers … are largely adapting to where society is,” he writes. “If the Pentagon wants to fill the ranks, it has to do so with the population it has.”

• In “Out of Order,” Alan W. Dowd explains where, and how, the postwar international order built by the United States and its allies is under assault by China, Russia and other tyrant regimes. “The free world has the power to preserve this precious gift from the greatest generation,” he writes. “What remains to be seen is if it has the will.”

• Task Force Movement Chairman Patrick Murphy talks to The American Legion Magazine about efforts to fast-track and assist transitioning servicemembers and veterans into commercial truck driving and cybersecurity – two industries in dire need of workers. “There are incredible opportunities out there – family-sustaining jobs for decades to come – for our brother and sister veterans,” Murphy says. “We need Legionnaires to help be part of the solution, recruiting the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, truck drivers and young Americans who will serve our country – and become Legionnaires.”

• Army veteran and Best Medicine Brigade founder Robin Johnson talks about Operation HEAL*ARIOUS, a 10-city U.S. tour to find America’s funniest servicemember, veteran or military spouse. “We’re going to heal every veteran we can with humor,” says Johnson, who wants the tour to bring some attention to The American Legion’s Be the One initiative to reduce veteran suicide. “It really starts with us, with you …. check on your battle buddy and make sure they’re OK. It gives us some accountability and responsibility as veterans to look after one another.”

• National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola reaffirms The American Legion’s support for Old Glory – and for modernization of the Flag Code, including additional days to encourage display, permitting flag patches to be worn on military and first-responder uniforms, and carrying the flag flat or horizontally when appropriate for patriotic effect.

Members can click here to access the digital magazine.

To join The American Legion and enjoy monthly digital issues of The American Legion Magazine, visit legion.org/join.