Chapter 14: Protecting The Military From Politics

Politics matters to our generation, but the military is the last haven of an apolitical workplace, and one that can attract those seeking refuge.

Solution: Together we must keep politics out of the military by weakening political parties control over the military, and instead encouraging Gen Z to discuss policy issues.

If there is one thing that Gen Z has grown up with today that wasn’t the norm even a decade ago, it’s the hyperpolarization of American politics. The fights between the right and left have been intensifying year after year, and the partisanship makes politics a more lurid spectator sport than most N.C.A.A. tournaments. From what books to read in elementary school to what bathrooms to use in adulthood, Z has become accustomed to everyone having an opinion on every political issue. Unique to this generation is that those political thoughts are being discussed online and on television in a more systematic and hostile way than ever before. What used to be reserved for candidate debates or structured discussions has now spilled over into everyday discourse at the dinner table, the Twitter feed, and even the grocery store. Overall, politics does matter to our generation, and we've been so used to hearing about it that it matters more to us than most past generations. However, the military is the last haven of an apolitical workplace and, presented correctly, will be able to attract future employees seeking refuge from the insane state of political discourse…

Matthew Weiss is currently an Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps. His book, “We Don’t Want You, Uncle Sam: Examining the Military Recruiting Crisis with Generation Z” is available on amazon in paperback, e-book, and audiobook format.