Urgent Shift: Future Veterans Will Redefine Service by 2050

BREAKING: A new report from the Center for a New American Security highlights a revolutionary shift in the concept of military service. As we approach Veterans Day on November 11, 2023, it’s crucial to recognize that the next generation of veterans will look drastically different by 2050.

This urgent study reveals that technological advancements, demographic changes, and new warfare methods are reshaping what it means to serve. The veterans of tomorrow may never see a traditional battlefield, yet their contributions will be equally significant.

In Hampton Roads, we are witnessing these changes firsthand, especially at Fort Eustis, as military installations adapt to evolving needs. As one observer pointedly asked, “Do you see helicopters flying over Ukraine?” The nature of service is transforming rapidly, and it is vital for society to recognize this shift.

Currently, veterans are predominantly male, shaped by experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many return with both visible and invisible scars, navigating complex reintegration processes. Celebrating their sacrifices is essential, but there is a pressing need to understand how service is evolving and how we can support future veterans.

By 2050, veterans will likely include cyber analysts, drone pilots, and AI defense system managers. Their experiences may involve trauma from digital warfare rather than traditional combat, challenging our current understanding of military service. This evolution demands new approaches to health care and employment, as future veterans’ resumes may resemble those of tech engineers instead of traditional military leaders.

The future veteran will embody diversity: more women, people of color, dual-career couples, and single parents. Old archetypes are becoming obsolete. The individuals enlisting today are already paving the way for this transformation. Yet, our systems remain rooted in outdated models, raising critical questions: Are we equipped to address trauma from digital warfare? Will employers acknowledge skills in quantum computing or cyber operations?

As warfare becomes more remote, public detachment from military service increases. Future veterans may find it challenging to explain their roles in conflicts that remain largely invisible to the general public. At a time when indifference toward military service is growing, this invisibility threatens the connection and support our veterans desperately need.

Reflecting on a recent Remembrance Day ceremony at Winfield House, I observed that the audience, much like many Veterans Day events, was predominantly older and white. To ensure Veterans Day remains relevant, it must evolve — balancing remembrance with anticipation for future service.

To honor our veterans, we must adapt our policies, perceptions, and support systems. Change is vital; as the tools of war shift from boots and trenches to bots and terminals, the core values of service—sacrifice, duty, and commitment—must endure.

While we modernize our programs, one element must remain unchanged: our gratitude. This appreciation extends to every generation of veterans—those who fought on the ground, soared in the skies, or defended digital front lines.

This Veterans Day, we must not only honor the past but also look forward, ensuring that respect and support for our veterans continues to be a priority, no matter how warfare evolves. David W. Walker, president and CEO of the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, emphasizes the importance of adapting to these changes for our veterans to thrive.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore these critical developments surrounding our service members and their evolving roles in the future.