Recruitment is at an all-time low due to low unemployment rates.

"Calling the Army recruiting shortfall a crisis is like saying that the Titanic had a 'small' problem in its crossing of the Atlantic," Ferrari and Kem wrote.

Rose Riley, spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force, told Newsweek that the branch had made its recruitment goals for the 2022 fiscal year by "a narrow margin" but weekly accessions continue to fall short in 2023.

"Record-low unemployment rates and steadily declining familiarity with the U.S. military today leaves us uncertain whether we can achieve our goals this year," Riley said in an emailed statement. "We are starting to see some positive results of our training programs, policy changes and our enhanced marketing efforts, but military recruiting will remain a long-term challenge."

Sergeant First Class Anthony Hewitt, an Army spokesperson, also told Newsweek of some of the reason why the Army has struggled to meet recruitment goals.

"The Army is facing unprecedented recruiting conditions due to a combination of factors including the current robust labor market, intense competition for talent with the private sector, and an ongoing decline in the segment of America's youth that are qualified and interested in serving in the military," Hewitt said in an emailed response.

Marine Corps Recruiting Command spokesperson Jim Edwards told Newsweek that while the Marines continue "to experience one of the most challenging recruiting environments since the establishment of the all-volunteer force," the Marine Corps nonetheless "remains on-track to accomplish the Fiscal Year 2023 accession mission."