Entitled POS scums.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ne...-gen-z-recruits.html

* Brazen posts represent audacious challenge to top brass amid recruitment crisis
* One of the posts by military influencer Anthony Laster slams Army life
* Says he spent whole day watching TikToks while supposedly fighting the Taliban

By ALICE WRIGHT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:51 EST, 17 December 2023 | UPDATED: 10:47 EST, 17 December 2023

The US Army is facing a TikTok mutiny as Gen Z recruits are taking to social media to whine about low pay, 'sh***y' food and fitness tests.

The brazen posts - by uniformed troops on US bases - represent an audacious challenge to top brass amid a recruitment crisis. The Army fell short of its target by 25 percent last year.

One of the posts by military influencer Anthony Laster slams Army life for having 'No Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!' and has been viewed more than 600,000 times.

Laster, from Chicago, has more than a million followers on TikTok and made the public comments in uniform while on mission in the desert. In another post he claimed he spent his whole day watching TikToks while supposedly fighting the Taliban.

It gives a woeful impression of America's fighting forces to potential recruits, which is likely to cause further animosity toward TikTok from critics. Politicians from both sides have concerns about the platform's links with China and accuse it of pushing subversive anti-US propaganda.

The Army expects to end up about 15,000 short of its target of 65,000 recruits for 2023.

Similarly, the Navy expects to fall short by 10,000 personnel and the Air Force is projected to miss its goal by 10 percent.

The traditional allure of military recruitment is failing to register with Gen Z.

Last year only 9 percent of young people ages 16-21 said they would consider military service, according to Pentagon data, sliding 13 percent from before the pandemic.

The military has faced criticism for using 'woke' advertising campaigns focused on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as drag shows for troops, to appeal to Gen Z.

The Army is in the middle of a five-year plan to become a 'model example of diversity, equality and inclusion', with the blessing of the White House.

However, with focus elsewhere it is in the grips of a fitness crisis.

Around 23 percent of soldiers registered as obese in 2021, according to a recent study of data from the Military Health System Data Repository.

Not only are recruits not fit enough to join, their fitness is also declining once they're in the ranks leaving officials scrambling to install weight loss and exercise regimens.

Now disgruntled rank and file officers have found an outlet on TikTok to advise those considering signing up to think again, according to videos viewed by DailyMail.com.

Among the major criticisms, the young soldiers complain about having to remain below a certain weight, harsh treatment from their superiors and having to perform menial tasks instead of engaging enemies on the battlefield.

One young recruit, Shemar Williams, in uniform and appearing to be on base, looks into the camera and tells his 34,000 followers his 'top five reasons not to join the military'.

Echoing Laster's grievances, Williams bemoans that 'we do not get paid enough to perform the mission that is tasked to us,' lack of autonomy and sacrifices in family life.

According to federal data, more than 20,000 active-duty troops are on food stamps to make ends meet.

More worryingly for recruitment, Williams also adds to his list complaints about things the military attempts to sell to potential recruits as perks, notably 'schooling'.

'Now I know you think 'woah that is a benefit', Williams explains, 'but there are requirements you have to meet first to get to that schooling. So if you're thinking of joining because of schooling, just go to school.'

Sergeant Barber, 25, filming himself in his uniform admits that he has already been 'counseled because of a TikTok video' nonetheless tells his 68,000 followers 'before you head to the recruiting office, watch this video… If you don't like your freedom being suppressed a little, not really, then I wouldn't join the military.'

As well as cautioning against fantasies of getting rich in the army, Barber also says life in the military is 'mopping those floors 99 percent of the time' rather than war combat.

'Even if you deploy you probably won't see combat today in this world so if that's your mindset. Don't join!'

Female recruits have also contributed to the anti-military advice offered on TikTok.

One young recruit who could only be identified as Gammage from the name on her uniform, tells those considering a life in the military: 'Don't join the Army until you're mentally prepared to be told you're going over/under weight, treated like you're not a good soldier if you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less - oh and you can't get injured either cause then it's your fault'.

Health is a barrier to recruitment as well as an issue once recruits are enrolled.

More than half (56 percent) of American 18 to 25-year-olds are overweight or obese, according to Johns Hopkins researchers, meaning they can't enlist.

Fitness within the army is also at crisis point, with generals terming it a threat to national security.

Injury and healthcare are also a concern for a young recruit who identified himself as Treull.

He advises against joining the Army because 'this is very physically demanding, the army don't give a f**k if you f***ed up you better see the PT [personal trainer].'

Treull also complains that commanding officers are 'on a power trip and you can't do nothing'.

Concluding: 'In the military you're their b***h, if they want to do something to you you're going to do it.'

A defense official told DailyMail.com: 'DOD Components are required to review and approve non-official mobile applications for use on government-issued devices.

'The DoD never authorized the use of TikTok, and several organizations have already banned its download onto its mobile devices. Users are required to sign a user agreement when the device is issued.

'The agreement informs them of the proper device use requirements and their responsibilities for the appropriate use and download of unmanaged applications. Additionally, all DoD personnel are required to take the Annual Cyber Awareness Challenge which has modules specific to mobile devices, social media, and geolocation capabilities.

Adding: 'DoD Mobile Application policy requires DOD Components to review and prohibit the use of applications that pose potential risk. DoD is currently updating its mobile application security policy to establish a process for prohibiting the installation of any application that DoD believes is inappropriate to be downloaded to a government device as well.

'In accordance with Division R, Section 102 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, U.S. Cyber Command acting through Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, directed all combatant commands, military services, defense agencies, and DoD field activities to remove TikTok from all government-funded equipment and prohibit users from downloading or accessing the application on government-funded equipment.'

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 12131,

That, the open border, schooling enemy children, etc... all point to big problems for US!

quote:

The brazen posts - by uniformed troops on US bases - represent an audacious challenge to top brass amid a recruitment crisis. The Army fell short of its target by 25 percent last year.

One of the posts by military influencer Anthony Laster slams Army life for having 'No Privacy, The Pay Sucks, Sh***y Food, Disrespectful Leadership, NO SLEEP!' and has been viewed more than 600,000 times.

Laster, from Chicago, has more than a million followers on TikTok and made the public comments in uniform while on mission in the desert. In another post he claimed he spent his whole day watching TikToks while supposedly fighting the Taliban.

And will continue to post until he is body-slammed by his command.
Someone's gotta be an example for the rest. Even if it's an example of "What not to do".

"Military influencer?" WTF

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:


And will continue to post until he is body-slammed by his command.
Someone's gotta be an example for the rest. Even if it's an example of "What not to do".

Which may not happen.

Everyone these days seems scared to death of Gen Z for some reason, ESPECIALLY if they are female or minority or both.

I see a lot of accommodation and bending over backwards for them in the workplace.

Don't see this stuff with USMC. Everybody gripes about the food. Easy enough to block Tik Tok.

What are all those cafeteria workers doing in uniform?

quote:

you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Every kid in my high school PE class could best that mark. Some much faster than that.

quote:

you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less

They've made it easier?

When I was in it was 15:something, and even I as a nonrunner (hated it) at the time could do that.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less

They've made it easier?

When I was in it was 15:something, and even I as a nonrunner (hated it) at the time could do that.

USMC for me.
3 miles in 18 min was "perfect" score

While securing B-52s during the Cold (like, really cold) War I was out on foot in blizzard conditions and my record low temp on duty without windchill was -39. I was not relieved for chow on many nights and the so called "in flight" meal delivered to me was a strange sandwich of unidentifiable cheese and nasty greasy meat with pepper corns imbedded in it. A small can of grapefruit juice was generously included. On one below zero evening, one of our patrol vehicles rolled up and proceeded to pick up a K-9 and handler. The handler told me he was worried the dogs feet might freeze. When I asked why I was not picked up, the answer was "we don't have any money tied up in you". When I enlisted, my old man told me "the service will either make a man out of you or break you". I went into military service expecting less than optimal care and comfort and worst case scenario, actual war. And my experiences pale in comparison to the experience of other Vets, both before and after my service time.
One thing I didn't have: Parents, schools and a society that coddled me, which better set me up to meet adversity,
And I didn't have Tik Tok, either.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Every kid in my high school PE class could best that mark. Some much faster than that.

We had 10 min to run a mile and a half. It was a timed test you had to so several times to pass that PE module in H.S.

Complaining by a bunch E-1's and E-2's, this is nothing new and has been going on since Jesus was a boot, the only difference is they can air their grievances on a platform with a wider audience. Their tune will change when they gain perspective and that only comes with time and grade. Being a junior enlisted does suck, you don't know anything and your entire life is one of being told what to do, where to go and when to do it. Will be interesting to see how many of them are in combat-arms or, in direct support of combat arms...I would wager many of these whiners are in support branches like quartermaster, transportation and ordinance.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less

They've made it easier?

When I was in it was 15:something, and even I as a nonrunner (hated it) at the time could do that.

Army?

It was 15:54

That number is burned into my head because I was never a fast runner and could usually make the 2 mile PT test run in about 15 minutes giving me a minute or so to spare.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Every kid in my high school PE class could best that mark. Some much faster than that.

I'm 77 and 3/4, and I can do that.

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:

And will continue to post until he is body-slammed by his command.
Someone's gotta be an example for the rest. Even if it's an example of "What not to do".

Heck, maybe he WANTS to get hammered by the chain of command and/or kicked out. That way, he would make front-page news and really boost his views/numbers. These 'influencers' are the ultimate attention whores. Even 'bad press' for them can be leveraged into more visibility, which in turn, translates into more money. Of course, if they whack this douche hard enough, it might make the wannabe's straighten up.

IMO, a 'military influencer' is a contradiction in terms.



The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (there is only one at a time with this rank/position) put a Staff Sergeant in his place a bit ago. Her name is CMSAF Bass. Not sure if it's pronounced like the fish or the musical instrument. Well, this SSgt posted on CMSAF Bass's official Facebook page, "Is it pronounced Bass or Bass?" Trying to be funny, as she has heard that lame joke a LOT recently.

However, he posted it under his real name and it was obvious from his profile that he was Active Duty USAF. She contacted his chain of command and 'asked' him to call her to explain himself. Needless to say, that made EVERYBODY in the SSgt's leadership hit the roof. Her point was (which I agree with) that it is not appropriate to treat somebody with this level of flippant disrespect in person, so it is also not appropriate on-line. She was gracious about it - she said the SSgt was very polite and learned a valuable lesson. She didn't kick him while he was down.


As for the Army guys - whack some of the biggest moles hard enough and the others should learn by the example.

I remember my first REFORGER(1985) in Germany/Holland, no phone, no TV, No US radio. Just freezing temps, snow and ice for over a month. Showers once a week if we were lucky and lots of yummy MRE's. I remember being out of contact with my family stateside for 6-8 weeks sometimes. Now just whip out the phone and send a text or call even. I still remember when I broke the 13:30 mark on the 2 mile run. Loved my time in the Army, but being an Army Brat it felt like being home when I enlisted. I really hope these whiners are the exception and that they crack down on them.

I remember that Bass or Bass story. I thought there was more to it, I actually think that is harmless fun if there wasn't.

We once had a very uptight skipper who liked to line up their Diet Cokes perfectly in their mini fridge. The OOD on mid watch used to make it part of their rounds to move a couple every night. We thought it was hilarious and the skipper took it well considering it would be pretty easy to figure out who did it.

I thought the bass or bass story somehow turned on it being the first(?) female CMSAF. I thought there was a more ugly element, I could be misremembering.

Every idea I have to improve the military has the potential to really erode recruitment numbers, ie ban cell phones while on duty. Although being very military also can be appealing, looking at you Marine Corps. They aren't having recruiting issues.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

you can't run 2 miles in 18 mins or less

They've made it easier?

When I was in it was 15:something, and even I as a nonrunner (hated it) at the time could do that.

Army?

It was 15:54

That number is burned into my head because I was never a fast runner and could usually make the 2 mile PT test run in about 15 minutes giving me a minute or so to spare.

That was the number burned in my mind, too. I ran it just under 15 and never wanted better.

can we just get the big war started already LOL, asking for a friend.