Half of young Americans say they don’t know much about the U.S. Army. That has to change | Opinion

“Thank you for your service.” As a U.S. Army Soldier working in the Philadelphia area, I am grateful for these words, which I hear often when wearing my uniform in this community.

What many people do not understand is that I am the one who is thankful.

I am thankful for the education and cost-free healthcare I receive, the worldwide experiences I have had, the technical skills I have learned, and the opportunity to be a leader in the most trusted organization in the nation.

I am thankful to be part of history. This week the Army celebrates 244 years of dedicated service. Generations of Soldiers have inspired professionalism, honorable service and a commitment to the common good. For this, I am proud to call myself a Soldier.

And now, I am part of the team inspiring the next great generation of Soldiers to find their place in history.

That is no easy task, however, even though the majority of Americans have the highest levels of confidence in the U.S. military.

We face many challenges when searching for the right people to fill our ranks. Yes, we need infantrymen and Special Forces Soldiers, like you see in the movies, but we also need logisticians, nurses, engineers, truck drivers, and IT specialists.

About 50 percent of today’s young people admit they know little to nothing about the nation’s military the people who work daily to protect their freedom. They don’t understand the depth of the knowledge and technical skills they can learn in one hundred fifty different career paths. They don’t understand the degrees they can earn or that the benefits and perks often match or surpass those offered by civilian employers.

I have had many jobs as I have served in the U.S. Army. I am a better person because of the U.S. Army and the people I have met throughout my career.

I see amazing young people in the Philadelphia area who are desiring to serve their communities, and I believe we are doing them a disservice if we are not encouraging them to explore the military as a potential career path.

The Army invests in its people, often to the benefit of outside organizations. Veterans are more likely to vote, volunteer, and be involved in their communities. They have the maturity and self-discipline private industries are seeking.

Only 29 percent of today’s young people have the ability to meet our qualifications. We will work to find the right people, and we will compete to retain them for the good of our nation. But we need your help.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6 and the Army’s 244th birthday on June 14, the Army is activating a nationwide “Call to Service.”

I challenge leaders, parents, educators and the city of Philadelphia and surrounding area as a whole to step forward. Inspire the young people around you to be part of something bigger, to be part of history. Inspire them to answer the call. Contact your local Army Recruiter to find out about the 150 career opportunities and become part of a proud team of professionals.

Lt. Col Keith Bryant is the commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Mid Atlantic.