James Jay Carafano is a leading expert in national security and foreign policy challenges. Rock face rappel training at Fort Drum, NY on June 13, 2019. U.S. Army photo Key Takeaways Recruiting is getting harder. The Army has been struggling to make numbers since 2018. While the Constitution created a framework that allowed for conscription, it did not establish mandatory military service—with good reason. What the armed forces need is more young people showing both a propensity for military service and the qualifications to serve. A couple of facts are not in dispute. Recruiting is getting harder. The Army has been struggling to make numbers since 2018. While a Pew Research Center survey released in July 2019 shows the military remains among the most trusted public institutions, most of that respect comes from members of older generations, not the younger ones who would be called to serve. Over 70% of American youth are ineligible for military service. Adding these trends together makes some fret over the future of the all-volunteer force.