It probably has a lot more to do with:
1. The U.S. used 9-11 as excuse to spent well beyond our means to beef up our military in a failed afford to use military power to lock in a geopolitical hegemonic position though installation of pliant, subservient governments across Middle East and Central Asia. It is now clear to everyone that the 2001-2012 military expansion bought absolutely nothing lasting that is good for the U.S., and the military will needs to be sharply reduced and kept at a reduced level for a long time in order to pay the bills. As a result, those who joined the military when it was bloated would have few opportunities open to them for future career advancement.
2. While the bloating US military was killing and wounding G.Is while doing no lasting good for the U.S., those patriotic volunteers who joined the military in their flush of nation pride had begun to notice American appreciation for their sacrifices consist large of speeches, flags, and parades. There was much lower than expected level of the kind of appreciation which really matters - taking care of those who were wounded and traumatized by their services.
So the upshot is US military would not offer many career advancement opportunities for career soldiers, and if you were to be wounded in service to your country, the country would not thank you in ways that would really matter.
1. The U.S. used 9-11 as excuse to spent well beyond our means to beef up our military in a failed afford to use military power to lock in a geopolitical hegemonic position though installation of pliant, subservient governments across Middle East and Central Asia. It is now clear to everyone that the 2001-2012 military expansion bought absolutely nothing lasting that is good for the U.S., and the military will needs to be sharply reduced and kept at a reduced level for a long time in order to pay the bills. As a result, those who joined the military when it was bloated would have few opportunities open to them for future career advancement.
2. While the bloating US military was killing and wounding G.Is while doing no lasting good for the U.S., those patriotic volunteers who joined the military in their flush of nation pride had begun to notice American appreciation for their sacrifices consist large of speeches, flags, and parades. There was much lower than expected level of the kind of appreciation which really matters - taking care of those who were wounded and traumatized by their services.
So the upshot is US military would not offer many career advancement opportunities for career soldiers, and if you were to be wounded in service to your country, the country would not thank you in ways that would really matter.
