Americans still hold their military in high regard, according to the latest Gallup Poll. Gallup’s annual survey of public confidence in major American institutions shows that 73 percent have a great deal or a lot of confidence in the US armed forces. Closest in the ranking are policemen, while the least popular institutions are health maintenance organizations, big business, and Congress. The poll offered more bad news for a beleaguered Presidency: It fell 11 points in the percentage who hold it in high confidence.
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…