With fewer barriers to entry, military enlistment is higher than it’s been in decades
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is experiencing a significant increase in enlistments, with over 7,300 new members joining in the past year. This surge is attributed to reduced barriers for entry, such as the removal of aptitude tests and the opening of recruitment to permanent residents. Additionally, rising global tensions and a shift in public perception towards the military have contributed to this trend.
- ▪The CAF enlisted 7,310 new members in the past year, exceeding its target of 6,957.
- ▪This is the highest number of recruits in over 30 years.
- ▪Changes to recruitment criteria, including the removal of aptitude tests and relaxing medical limitations, have helped increase enlistments.
- ▪A poll found that 24 percent of Canadians are willing to serve in the CAF if the country becomes involved in a major war, up from 12 percent in November.
- ▪58 percent of Canadians surveyed have a positive view of the Armed Forces.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Joyce Mbongo walked away from a military recruitment table at a career fair near Montreal recently knowing exactly what she wanted to do with her life: join the Canadian Armed Forces.The 17-year-old had already started an application but wanted to talk to recruiters to learn more. She’d thought about it for the past couple of years, she said. “Something just stopped me, like, leaving, going really far from my family, and the training also really scared me, but now I know that that’s what I want to do,” she said, standing between booths on the fair floor. Mainly, she wants to serve her country. “I fear that there will be a war because of what’s happening, you know?” she said, referring to the United States and the war in the Middle East. “So I’m really scared that maybe it will come here.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Globe and Mail.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Globe and Mail
