Army’s future requires support, encouragement from community

“Thank you for your service,” are words I often hear while wearing my uniform in your community. I am grateful to hear those words, but what many people do not know is that I am the one who is thankful.

I am thankful for the camaraderie, the commitment made to me and my family, and the opportunity to dedicate every day of my service to the American people.

I am thankful for receiving cost-free health care, technical skills, educational opportunities, traveling the world and experiencing different cultures, and the opportunity to lead soldiers in the nation’s most trusted organization, the Army.

I am thankful I could be part of the Army’s celebration on June 14 of 250 years of dedicated service to our country. For generations, soldiers answered the call of our nation with honorable and professional service for the common good.

Members of my family have served in the Army since they first came to America. I am proud to call myself a soldier and proud to continue the tradition of service to my nation and its people. We are all responsible for encouraging and inspiring the next great generation of soldiers to find their place in history, but our task is not easy. We face many challenges when searching for the right people to fill our ranks. Yes, we need combat soldiers like the ones you see in movies, but we also need dog handlers, engineers, IT specialists, nurses, mechanics, graphic designers, firefighters, cooks, veterinarians and many other career paths.

Fifty percent of America’s youth admit to knowing little or nothing about the people who work daily to protect their liberty and freedom, the U.S. military. They do not know about the skills they can learn in one of the Army’s 200 different career paths. They do not know about the professional certifications and degrees that can be obtained during Army service. Nor do they know about the benefits our soldiers receive that match and often surpass the benefits offered by civilian employers.

The Army’s investment in its soldiers benefits everyone. Veterans are more likely to volunteer, vote and be involved in their communities. They have discipline, leadership skills, maturity and work effort sought by private industries. The Army creates a sense of purpose through personal and professional growth – empowering soldiers and civilian employees to be part of something greater than themselves and be everything they can be Only 29% of today’s young people can meet our entry requirements, but we will continuously work to find the right people to fill our ranks. We will compete to retain our talent for the good of the nation, but we need your help.

This year’s 250th birthday commemorates “This We’ll Defend” reflecting on the rich history and legacy of service, sacrifice, and dedication. From the Revolutionary War to present day missions, our soldiers have consistently demonstrated their resolve to defend freedom at home and abroad. We also celebrate our local communities for their steadfast support of our veterans, soldiers, and families.

The birthday is the perfect time to reflect on the Army’s impact on our nation and discuss ways today’s youth can contribute to the Army’s proud legacy for future generations. As we do our service, I challenge you, the community, to do your service.

Encourage and inspire the young men and women around you to answer the call and be part of something bigger than themselves. Steer a young person to your nearest recruiting station or goarmy.com. Listen to those who want to talk about their desire to serve in the military and encourage them to explore the Army as a potential career path.

Lt. Col. Nicholas M. James, commander of the U.S. Army, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Recruiting Battalion, is a 20-year Army veteran with several deployments in support of humanitarian, peacekeeping and combat operations.