Almost certain death from a drone when going into attack: Multiple factors contribute to the challenges in recruiting military personnel in Western European countries

Some key reasons include:

1. Poor Compensation and Career Prospects:

 

    Low pay: Military salaries are often not competitive with those offered in the private sector, especially for specialized roles, according to Quora. The military struggles to compete for talent, particularly in fields like IT and engineering.

    Reduced perks: Military service benefits and incentives have decreased over time.

    Unappealing lifestyle: The military demands a challenging lifestyle with long hours, frequent relocation, and exposure to stress and danger. Poor living conditions on some military bases further deter potential recruits.

 

2. Changing Social Attitudes:

 

    Anti-war and pacifist values: Many young Western Europeans are against war and hold pacifist views, finding military service undesirable.

    Individualism and reduced patriotism: Younger generations are more individualistic and less inclined towards traditional concepts of patriotism and military service.

    Lack of military culture: Many European countries have lost a strong military culture since World War II. The military is less visible in society, and there's less awareness of it as a career option.

    Negative political associations: For some, particularly on the political left, military service carries negative historical connotations and is associated with anti-imperialistic ideals.

 

3. Competition from the Civilian Sector:

 

    Alternative careers: The civilian sector offers more attractive career options with better pay and working conditions.

    Lengthy application processes: The military's recruitment process can be slow, causing potential applicants to pursue opportunities in the private sector instead.

 

4. Concerns about Drone Warfare:

 

    Psychological impact: The psychological effects of drone warfare, including anticipatory anxiety and stress from constant surveillance, may deter potential recruits.

Drones, particularly Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and loitering munitions (often called "suicide" or "kamikaze" drones), are designed and deployed for combat operations.

Increased Casualties: Reports indicate that attack drones are responsible for a large percentage of battlefield casualties in conflicts, making them a significant threat.

Precision Targeting: Advanced military drones use precision-guided munitions and can accurately target enemy assets, increasing their lethality.

 

    Moral concerns: Some may be hesitant about participating in drone operations due to concerns about the ethical implications of using unmanned systems in warfare.

 

In summary, the challenges in recruiting Western European soldiers are multifaceted. Factors like poor pay, undesirable lifestyle, changing social attitudes, competition from civilian jobs, and concerns about drone warfare all play a role in making military service a less appealing option for many young people.