Article

Between 2021 and 2025, military enlistment in Puerto Rico declined by 11%, with the Army's recruitment dropping 30%. The population in the key recruiting age group (18-44) decreased by 2%. Women constituted 36% of recruits.

Increased military infrastructure, supported by a federal investment of $325.9 million, contrasts with this decline in enlistment. Experts attribute the lack of interest to perceptions of limited economic mobility, trauma from past wars, and a shift in youth priorities towards immediate employment. Counselors note that military options rank low compared to technical and college opportunities.