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a day ago
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35 Active And Retired US Soldiers Are Revealing Their Brutally Honest Thoughts On Trump's Parade, And I'm Kinda Shocked By Their Replies
By now, you're probably aware that on Saturday, the Trump administration held a festival and parade for the Army's 250th anniversary — an event that also coincided with Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The celebration featured 6,600 troops, 150 military vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft. While the official cost was not disclosed, the Army estimated the event's expenses to fall between $25 million and $45 million. From the No Kings protests held across the country on the same day, to many critics voicing their thoughts on the event online, there's been no shortage of opinion on the whole affair. Because the parade was ultimately to be in service of the Army, we asked military members, both active and retired, to share what they thought of the day. Hundreds of US military members and veterans chimed in — here's what they had to say: 1."Former US Army here, '82–'86. Trump is the greatest threat this nation has ever faced." —edgycat84 2."Marine vet, '07–'16. It is disgraceful that Trump used the military to boost his little ego. A man who has never lifted a finger to help anyone in his life just wasted millions of dollars to have his own little parade. I would have taken a third non-judicial punishment (NJP) for refusing to march in that parade with a smile on my face." —surprisedturtle814 3."Horrid. Embarrassing. Complete waste of money." —Anonymous 63-year-old US Army veteran 4."Disabled veteran here. I work with homeless veterans providing substance abuse and mental health assistance. I come from a long line of veterans, enlisted and officers in all four branches, and my kid is currently serving in the National Guard. That parade the orange fool put on was a disgrace. He is a draft dodger, a criminal, a racist, and a sexist pariah." "That was NOT put on as a celebration for the Army's birthday, and anyone who tricks themselves into believing that is choosing delusion. This is not the America that I or any family member sacrificed and fought for. It's disheartening that my kid has to serve under this abomination of a 'commander in chief.' By the way, I was proudly at the #NoKings protest that day." —Anonymous 42-year-old US Navy veteran 5."I am a retired senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) with just over 20 years of service. This parade should never have happened. This was a vanity show for Trump. We are not North Korea, China, or Russia. We generally have national parades at the conclusion of major victories (though that is not always the case) and not at the whim of a 'dear leader.' Right now, our soldiers need the barracks renovated. I have a son serving in the Army right now, and he tells me about the serious shortcomings of the dining facilities." "Some days, there are no facilities open at all, and single soldiers who live in the barracks now have to go to the fast-food joints on post or off. This would have been unspeakable in my day. I think of all that money wasted on this parade that could have gone to fixing just these two basic issues. Not to mention the time these soldiers had to spend away from their duty stations and their families just to placate someone who has never served and actively avoided military service. He also called those who fell in battle 'suckers' and 'losers.' It's disgusting and disrespectful to kowtow to his selfish behavior." —Anonymous 62-year-old US Army veteran 6."Being a 25-year Navy veteran, I'm shocked and disgusted by the blatant waste of taxpayers' money. Where is the rest of our so-called government?" —goldenpear9732 7."Air Force vet here, and I am constantly reminded that our oaths are to the Constitution, not the president. It is, in fact, our duty to refuse orders that go against it." –JadeFishes 8."I served 22 years and had to march in parades for Veterans Day. In those instances, it was meaningful because the crowd was there to thank us for our service. When we showed up, we were treated well, and the crowd appreciated us showing up. NO POLITICAL PURPOSE AT ALL. Had this president EVER served or at the very least shown respect to veterans like John McCain and medal of honor recipients, maybe it wouldn't piss us vets off." "But here we are, marching for a person who has been more disrespectful to veterans than any other president in the history of this country. Far worse, disregarding the Constitution, we swear an oath to 'protect and defend against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic.' And to say it's for the Army's birthday and not his birthday is a farce. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and recognizes the collective strength and contributions of all five branches. That would make more sense." —Anonymous 44-year-old US Air Force veteran 9."Marine Afghanistan veteran, '06–'13. As I have stated before, if it were really 'about the troops,' the Marines should be having their birthday parade around Nov. 10, [the United States Marine Corps birthday]. But we won't, because everything he has done since announcing he'd run 10 years ago has been about no one but him. He's a selfish, arrogant, stupid embarrassment of a commander in chief. That f**kface doesn't know shit about sacrifice. Duty. Honor. Integrity. If you think he ever gave a shit about veterans, your head has been up your ass." —jmoney1217 10."I am very hurt by all the negative comments. Who cares that it's the orange man's birthday? That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am currently serving in the Army close enough to DC that I would've gone. I didn't because my police officer husband got called into work to deal with the protests, and I didn't feel safe taking my toddler to the area. I am so upset that I missed out on that celebration because people are upset." —heroiclight396 Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public 11."I feel for those soldiers who were caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, it's their duty to obey orders. On the other hand, they fully knew they were there to pump up the ego of the tiny man who has nothing but disdain for them, and is on the record for calling their fallen brothers 'losers.'" —Anonymous US Navy member 12."This week has been tough for me, as a Guard member from the 1990s. I never deployed overseas, but was activated a half dozen times to help my fellow New Yorkers during times of need, and I was one of the first ones deployed for the TWA 800 crash. Seeing fellow National Guardsmen sent into California, and then made to throw a vanity birthday parade for somebody who did everything he could to avoid ever wearing a uniform? It just plain hurts me to my core to see somebody who's insulted soldiers so openly just continue to use them like this for his self-promotion and vanity." —Anonymous 49-year-old US Army National Guard veteran 13."Having a convicted felon as commander in chief holding a parade of self aggrandizement is beyond dishonoring veterans and active duty service men and women…it's vanity porn." —zeke1967 14."I would NEVER be a part of anything this administration does. I am so glad that I got out of the military at the beginning of the first Trump administration. This is not what the Army stands for. Nothing this administration does is for freedom of any kind. It's all driven by selfish billionaire interest." —Anonymous 37-year-old US Army veteran 15."It's a disgraceful attempt to boost a wannabe authoritarian's ego. I'd much rather see my tax dollars go toward programs that help existing military, disabled veterans, and their families." —Anonymous 59-year-old US Navy veteran 16."I am a former Naval officer of 10 years and a Gulf War veteran. I don't care what party is in office, our service members are not trained monkeys to perform for someone's ego trip. I'm also insulted every time I see a politician rendering a salute when they are not veterans. This is especially true when the president is a draft dodger. The money spent on the ego trip should have been sent to the Veterans Administration and active duty welfare programs." —Anonymous 58-year-old US Navy veteran Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them 17."Dumbest thing ever. We have so many homeless vets and the VA is facing major cuts." "I had something growing on my arm a few years ago and went to the VA to get it checked out. After multiple tests. Nothing. A doctor pulled me aside and gave me the info for another doctor not associated with the VA. Turns out it was a rare form of skin cancer. Had surgery to remove it, and skin grafts were done. I was finally cancer-free after a few months. After all this, I get a call from the VA asking if I ever found out what was happening with the growth. I don't blame them 'cause they have no funding. This money could've been used for better." —Anonymous US Marine veteran 18."As a veteran, I've marched in parades before, proudly. Never have I marched in one to honor someone who openly disrespects me (the military and veterans), and wasted so much money on such a massive ego trip, which was ultimately a flop. Maybe some of those soldiers were proud to march, but it did not appear that way. No 'nine to the front and six to the rear' in sight. They were just walking." —ginnyjensen 19."As an Air Force veteran (9+ years active duty), I considered it a privilege to serve President Reagan in any direct capacity. My heavy-lift helicopter unit in West Germany supported his visits to the European Economic Summits in the '80s. And we were extremely proud to support him in any way, not just because he was the commander in chief, but because he respected all service members and their sacrifices for our country. While we never participated in any kind of parade, we knew he cared about us." "I can completely understand the lack of enthusiasm from the participants in Trump's 'birthday parade,' as he has shown not only a lack of respect for the military in general, but also disdain and contempt for veterans. To get respect (from the military), you must show (to the military) respect. Donald Trump respects no one. And nothing. He got what he deserved: humiliation." —crunchyowl271 20."I thought it was a fantastic, heartfelt tribute to the US Army on their 250th birthday. After being a Vietnam area vet, being in uniform during the polarized '70s, and being disrespected by my friends and just people on the street, seeing this type of recognition and support for the military helped me heal old wounds. I see no politics here. Can't we just respect those who serve without always 'picking sides'?" —Anonymous 67-year-old US Navy Veteran 21."We do not have to have a parade to celebrate our military might. We do that every time we show up on the battlefield to defend our rights and our freedoms." —lazyking123 22."Definitely was embarrassed by the whole affair. Poor attendance, poor parade, and very unimpressive to all the watchers. I was at the 2015 Beijing parade celebrating the end of WWII and saw a well-organized, precision review of infantry and mechanized performers. Not like what I saw Saturday." —Anonymous 99-year-old US Army Veteran 23."It is absolutely disgusting for a man whose rich daddy protected him from the draft to throw himself a military birthday parade. It really underscores the complete lack of respect he has already shown to armed services members, current and former. That money would have been much better served by programs for veterans and active duty members. It's like these MAGAts I see who have military or police stickers on their cars or emblems on their shirts who have never served a day and likely never will." "They speak racial and LGBTQ hatred, and consider themselves to be patriots. They're more like parrots! The pledge of allegiance literally has the words, 'Liberty and Justice for ALL,' not just those whose skin color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity you agree with. I took an oath to the Constitution; Trump constantly violates it. He needs to be impeached! I'm glad that there was such a poor turnout for his pathetic parade, while there were massive turnouts for the No Kings protests." —Anonymous 53-year-old US Army veteran 24."I didn't see the parade live, but saw the highlights on the news and other media outlets. I felt worse for my fellow service members than anything else. People who support this type of nonsense don't realize that places like North Korea can do their synchronous march because they are NOT in the field war-gaming and preparing to defend the nation at a moment's notice. You don't become the world's best fighting force by doing drills and marching all day, every day." "This was a waste of OUR taxpayer funds and a waste of the time the soldiers could have used sharpening their war-fighting skills. This is what we get, though, when we have someone like Corporal Bone-Spurs and Captain Oblivious at the helm of our military. Give me Sleepy Joe over Sloppy Don any day! At least Ol' Joe did not waste our tax money on this type of nonsense. One thing I am thankful for is that this spectacle and debacle did not besmirch my beloved Corps." —Anonymous 52-year-old US Marine veteran 25."I served when our adversary was the Soviet Union. After hearing his praise of Vladimir Putin, I think that our present adversary may be Donald Trump." —Anonymous 80-year-old US Air Force veteran 26."I was an Army photographer, discharged general, upgraded to honorable six months after discharge, and covered countless ceremonies, training events, and missions. Honestly, most ceremonies I'd cover, I'd have to weed out photos because people would like to flip the photographer off; mostly fun, or being disgruntled, but no active duty likes marching, especially if it's humid. It's not a lack of discipline or a political statement; it's just boring, and on a Saturday to celebrate the Army's birthday, there are more fun ways of doing that." "Only thing I'd say, which doesn't surprise me, is that our higher-ups actually went along with it. Pull their service records. They probably have a silver star for literally showing up for deployment, while some enlisted soldier had to save their entire platoon while being shot multiple times, then dying of their wounds to have their family get the silver star six years after their death. Those soldiers showed discipline and honor, just not to bad leaders." —savoryscissors501 27."It was the 250th anniversary of the US Army's founding, and I'm reflecting on the dedication and service of its members. While parades weren't my favorite part of my time in uniform, I understand their significance. It's important to look beyond political divides and truly appreciate the commitment of the men and women who serve in our military." —Anonymous 46-year-old US Army veteran 28."I believe that it was a great idea to honor the Army with a parade to celebrate 250 years of service to our country. However, to honor a birthday for one of the worst leaders that this country has ever had at the same ceremony was a disgrace to all past and present service members. I served 22 years in the USAF and retired now. I am grateful that I do not have to serve under the current president, who clearly does not understand democracy and wants to turn this country into a monarchy so he can be a king." —chillporcupine906 29."Fourteen-year Army veteran here. I thought having a military parade in the same vein as the ones dictators hold in their honor was absolutely disgusting. Honoring a draft-dodging wannabe king is a dishonor to all who have served honorably and are still serving. Amidst all of the firings of veterans in the name of 'government efficiency' is a slap to the faces of all that have lost their livelihoods." —icylatte763 30."I served 24 years in the USAF. During that, I had four tours in Southeast Asia. I flew (flight engineer) 867 combat missions during those four tours. I do not think I can ever explain my utter disgust for Donald Trump. It appears he sees everything through a prism that seems to multiply everything he sees. If a group of 100 people attends one of his rallies, his mind sees 10,000 people. He relishes being in the spotlight. I will never accept his disdain/disrespect for the US military, be it active duty, retired, or former military personnel." "Having said that, unless the Democrats or the Republicans promote and endorse a centrist candidate for president, we will be saddled with the likes of Herr Trump, JD Vance, Rep. Mike Johnson, and any of the MAGA crowd. As long as the Democrats support progressive policies and candidates, they will never take back control of Congress and the presidency." —edgycadet757 31."I was drafted into the Army in April 1966 and landed in Vietnam in December. I eventually served in the Infantry as an NCO (non-commissioned officer). While in Vietnam, I had to march in a parade in Saigon for the Vietnamese president. No one in the unit was happy about that, but we knew we had to do that. I served in an honor guard unit upon my return to the United States. We felt honored to help families through their grief, but marching in parades or for dignitaries was a chore." "Trump's 'parade' was an embarrassment and totally unnecessary money that could have been spent on salary increases for the troops." —Anonymous, 79-year-old US Army veteran 32."I loved it. It's sad to see people getting caught up in anti-Trumpism. It'd be nice if people would respect the country that gives them freedom, along with the very few who serve." —dizzysalt785 33."Former Marine, Vietnam vet. I think it was a total waste of money and our military's time to feed his ego. I also note his habit of the big 'pout' in meetings if he doesn't get his way. He really has no business being in the White House. We need an adult there, not a man-child." —youngcloud79 34."I'm a second-generation career soldier and retiree. Pops served 26 years, fought in Korea and Vietnam, while I served 22 years. I am most definitely proud of my service and the US Army; however, most soldiers who aren't assigned to the 'Old Guard' do not relish drill and ceremonies and, given a choice, would rather do almost anything else." "They showed up but were not very enthusiastic unless riding on a vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, we rarely march unless it's a school setting or just before the order for double time at PT (physical training). The pretense was honorific, but the POTUS just wanted a parade for show. Sad and unnecessary!!!" —glitteryeggplant955 lastly: "This president has shown a complete lack of respect for our military — deceased, retired, veteran, and active duty. His purging of the general ranks early in this term in his presidency showed that he has no regard for the professional military; he only wants persons who will be loyal to him rather than loyal to the Constitution that they swore to protect and defend." "Now, he is using the Army as props to satisfy his ego and need to feel powerful. It's a shameless/shameful display of narcissism that has no bounds. His actions make the US appear weak rather than strong, and he becomes more of an embarrassment to our country day by day." —Anonymous 66-year-old US Air Force veteran you're a US military member or a veteran, how has serving under President Trump felt different compared to other administrations? Let us know in the comments or by using this anonymous form. Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason Also in In the News: "Honestly Speechless At How Evil This Is": 26 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Week Also in In the News: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
35 Active And Retired US Soldiers Are Revealing Their Brutally Honest Thoughts On Trump's Parade, And I'm Kinda Shocked By Their Replies
By now, you're probably aware that on Saturday, the Trump administration held a festival and parade for the Army's 250th anniversary — an event that also coincided with Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The celebration featured 6,600 troops, 150 military vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft. While the official cost was not disclosed, the Army estimated the event's expenses to fall between $25 million and $45 million. From the No Kings protests held across the country on the same day, to many critics voicing their thoughts on the event online, there's been no shortage of opinion on the whole affair. Because the parade was ultimately to be in service of the Army, we asked military members, both active and retired, to share what they thought of the day. Hundreds of US military members and veterans chimed in — here's what they had to say: 1."Former US Army here, '82–'86. Trump is the greatest threat this nation has ever faced." —edgycat84 2."Marine vet, '07–'16. It is disgraceful that Trump used the military to boost his little ego. A man who has never lifted a finger to help anyone in his life just wasted millions of dollars to have his own little parade. I would have taken a third non-judicial punishment (NJP) for refusing to march in that parade with a smile on my face." —surprisedturtle814 3."Horrid. Embarrassing. Complete waste of money." —Anonymous 63-year-old US Army veteran 4."Disabled veteran here. I work with homeless veterans providing substance abuse and mental health assistance. I come from a long line of veterans, enlisted and officers in all four branches, and my kid is currently serving in the National Guard. That parade the orange fool put on was a disgrace. He is a draft dodger, a criminal, a racist, and a sexist pariah." "That was NOT put on as a celebration for the Army's birthday, and anyone who tricks themselves into believing that is choosing delusion. This is not the America that I or any family member sacrificed and fought for. It's disheartening that my kid has to serve under this abomination of a 'commander in chief.' By the way, I was proudly at the #NoKings protest that day." —Anonymous 42-year-old US Navy veteran 5."I am a retired senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) with just over 20 years of service. This parade should never have happened. This was a vanity show for Trump. We are not North Korea, China, or Russia. We generally have national parades at the conclusion of major victories (though that is not always the case) and not at the whim of a 'dear leader.' Right now, our soldiers need the barracks renovated. I have a son serving in the Army right now, and he tells me about the serious shortcomings of the dining facilities." "Some days, there are no facilities open at all, and single soldiers who live in the barracks now have to go to the fast-food joints on post or off. This would have been unspeakable in my day. I think of all that money wasted on this parade that could have gone to fixing just these two basic issues. Not to mention the time these soldiers had to spend away from their duty stations and their families just to placate someone who has never served and actively avoided military service. He also called those who fell in battle 'suckers' and 'losers.' It's disgusting and disrespectful to kowtow to his selfish behavior." —Anonymous 62-year-old US Army veteran 6."Being a 25-year Navy veteran, I'm shocked and disgusted by the blatant waste of taxpayers' money. Where is the rest of our so-called government?" —goldenpear9732 7."Air Force vet here, and I am constantly reminded that our oaths are to the Constitution, not the president. It is, in fact, our duty to refuse orders that go against it." –JadeFishes 8."I served 22 years and had to march in parades for Veterans Day. In those instances, it was meaningful because the crowd was there to thank us for our service. When we showed up, we were treated well, and the crowd appreciated us showing up. NO POLITICAL PURPOSE AT ALL. Had this president EVER served or at the very least shown respect to veterans like John McCain and medal of honor recipients, maybe it wouldn't piss us vets off." "But here we are, marching for a person who has been more disrespectful to veterans than any other president in the history of this country. Far worse, disregarding the Constitution, we swear an oath to 'protect and defend against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic.' And to say it's for the Army's birthday and not his birthday is a farce. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and recognizes the collective strength and contributions of all five branches. That would make more sense." —Anonymous 44-year-old US Air Force veteran 9."Marine Afghanistan veteran, '06–'13. As I have stated before, if it were really 'about the troops,' the Marines should be having their birthday parade around Nov. 10, [the United States Marine Corps birthday]. But we won't, because everything he has done since announcing he'd run 10 years ago has been about no one but him. He's a selfish, arrogant, stupid embarrassment of a commander in chief. That f**kface doesn't know shit about sacrifice. Duty. Honor. Integrity. If you think he ever gave a shit about veterans, your head has been up your ass." —jmoney1217 10."I am very hurt by all the negative comments. Who cares that it's the orange man's birthday? That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am currently serving in the Army close enough to DC that I would've gone. I didn't because my police officer husband got called into work to deal with the protests, and I didn't feel safe taking my toddler to the area. I am so upset that I missed out on that celebration because people are upset." —heroiclight396 Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public 11."I feel for those soldiers who were caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, it's their duty to obey orders. On the other hand, they fully knew they were there to pump up the ego of the tiny man who has nothing but disdain for them, and is on the record for calling their fallen brothers 'losers.'" —Anonymous US Navy member 12."This week has been tough for me, as a Guard member from the 1990s. I never deployed overseas, but was activated a half dozen times to help my fellow New Yorkers during times of need, and I was one of the first ones deployed for the TWA 800 crash. Seeing fellow National Guardsmen sent into California, and then made to throw a vanity birthday parade for somebody who did everything he could to avoid ever wearing a uniform? It just plain hurts me to my core to see somebody who's insulted soldiers so openly just continue to use them like this for his self-promotion and vanity." —Anonymous 49-year-old US Army National Guard veteran 13."Having a convicted felon as commander in chief holding a parade of self aggrandizement is beyond dishonoring veterans and active duty service men and women…it's vanity porn." —zeke1967 14."I would NEVER be a part of anything this administration does. I am so glad that I got out of the military at the beginning of the first Trump administration. This is not what the Army stands for. Nothing this administration does is for freedom of any kind. It's all driven by selfish billionaire interest." —Anonymous 37-year-old US Army veteran 15."It's a disgraceful attempt to boost a wannabe authoritarian's ego. I'd much rather see my tax dollars go toward programs that help existing military, disabled veterans, and their families." —Anonymous 59-year-old US Navy veteran 16."I am a former Naval officer of 10 years and a Gulf War veteran. I don't care what party is in office, our service members are not trained monkeys to perform for someone's ego trip. I'm also insulted every time I see a politician rendering a salute when they are not veterans. This is especially true when the president is a draft dodger. The money spent on the ego trip should have been sent to the Veterans Administration and active duty welfare programs." —Anonymous 58-year-old US Navy veteran Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them 17."Dumbest thing ever. We have so many homeless vets and the VA is facing major cuts." "I had something growing on my arm a few years ago and went to the VA to get it checked out. After multiple tests. Nothing. A doctor pulled me aside and gave me the info for another doctor not associated with the VA. Turns out it was a rare form of skin cancer. Had surgery to remove it, and skin grafts were done. I was finally cancer-free after a few months. After all this, I get a call from the VA asking if I ever found out what was happening with the growth. I don't blame them 'cause they have no funding. This money could've been used for better." —Anonymous US Marine veteran 18."As a veteran, I've marched in parades before, proudly. Never have I marched in one to honor someone who openly disrespects me (the military and veterans), and wasted so much money on such a massive ego trip, which was ultimately a flop. Maybe some of those soldiers were proud to march, but it did not appear that way. No 'nine to the front and six to the rear' in sight. They were just walking." —ginnyjensen 19."As an Air Force veteran (9+ years active duty), I considered it a privilege to serve President Reagan in any direct capacity. My heavy-lift helicopter unit in West Germany supported his visits to the European Economic Summits in the '80s. And we were extremely proud to support him in any way, not just because he was the commander in chief, but because he respected all service members and their sacrifices for our country. While we never participated in any kind of parade, we knew he cared about us." "I can completely understand the lack of enthusiasm from the participants in Trump's 'birthday parade,' as he has shown not only a lack of respect for the military in general, but also disdain and contempt for veterans. To get respect (from the military), you must show (to the military) respect. Donald Trump respects no one. And nothing. He got what he deserved: humiliation." —crunchyowl271 20."I thought it was a fantastic, heartfelt tribute to the US Army on their 250th birthday. After being a Vietnam area vet, being in uniform during the polarized '70s, and being disrespected by my friends and just people on the street, seeing this type of recognition and support for the military helped me heal old wounds. I see no politics here. Can't we just respect those who serve without always 'picking sides'?" —Anonymous 67-year-old US Navy Veteran 21."We do not have to have a parade to celebrate our military might. We do that every time we show up on the battlefield to defend our rights and our freedoms." —lazyking123 22."Definitely was embarrassed by the whole affair. Poor attendance, poor parade, and very unimpressive to all the watchers. I was at the 2015 Beijing parade celebrating the end of WWII and saw a well-organized, precision review of infantry and mechanized performers. Not like what I saw Saturday." —Anonymous 99-year-old US Army Veteran 23."It is absolutely disgusting for a man whose rich daddy protected him from the draft to throw himself a military birthday parade. It really underscores the complete lack of respect he has already shown to armed services members, current and former. That money would have been much better served by programs for veterans and active duty members. It's like these MAGAts I see who have military or police stickers on their cars or emblems on their shirts who have never served a day and likely never will." "They speak racial and LGBTQ hatred, and consider themselves to be patriots. They're more like parrots! The pledge of allegiance literally has the words, 'Liberty and Justice for ALL,' not just those whose skin color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity you agree with. I took an oath to the Constitution; Trump constantly violates it. He needs to be impeached! I'm glad that there was such a poor turnout for his pathetic parade, while there were massive turnouts for the No Kings protests." —Anonymous 53-year-old US Army veteran 24."I didn't see the parade live, but saw the highlights on the news and other media outlets. I felt worse for my fellow service members than anything else. People who support this type of nonsense don't realize that places like North Korea can do their synchronous march because they are NOT in the field war-gaming and preparing to defend the nation at a moment's notice. You don't become the world's best fighting force by doing drills and marching all day, every day." "This was a waste of OUR taxpayer funds and a waste of the time the soldiers could have used sharpening their war-fighting skills. This is what we get, though, when we have someone like Corporal Bone-Spurs and Captain Oblivious at the helm of our military. Give me Sleepy Joe over Sloppy Don any day! At least Ol' Joe did not waste our tax money on this type of nonsense. One thing I am thankful for is that this spectacle and debacle did not besmirch my beloved Corps." —Anonymous 52-year-old US Marine veteran 25."I served when our adversary was the Soviet Union. After hearing his praise of Vladimir Putin, I think that our present adversary may be Donald Trump." —Anonymous 80-year-old US Air Force veteran 26."I was an Army photographer, discharged general, upgraded to honorable six months after discharge, and covered countless ceremonies, training events, and missions. Honestly, most ceremonies I'd cover, I'd have to weed out photos because people would like to flip the photographer off; mostly fun, or being disgruntled, but no active duty likes marching, especially if it's humid. It's not a lack of discipline or a political statement; it's just boring, and on a Saturday to celebrate the Army's birthday, there are more fun ways of doing that." "Only thing I'd say, which doesn't surprise me, is that our higher-ups actually went along with it. Pull their service records. They probably have a silver star for literally showing up for deployment, while some enlisted soldier had to save their entire platoon while being shot multiple times, then dying of their wounds to have their family get the silver star six years after their death. Those soldiers showed discipline and honor, just not to bad leaders." —savoryscissors501 27."It was the 250th anniversary of the US Army's founding, and I'm reflecting on the dedication and service of its members. While parades weren't my favorite part of my time in uniform, I understand their significance. It's important to look beyond political divides and truly appreciate the commitment of the men and women who serve in our military." —Anonymous 46-year-old US Army veteran 28."I believe that it was a great idea to honor the Army with a parade to celebrate 250 years of service to our country. However, to honor a birthday for one of the worst leaders that this country has ever had at the same ceremony was a disgrace to all past and present service members. I served 22 years in the USAF and retired now. I am grateful that I do not have to serve under the current president, who clearly does not understand democracy and wants to turn this country into a monarchy so he can be a king." —chillporcupine906 29."Fourteen-year Army veteran here. I thought having a military parade in the same vein as the ones dictators hold in their honor was absolutely disgusting. Honoring a draft-dodging wannabe king is a dishonor to all who have served honorably and are still serving. Amidst all of the firings of veterans in the name of 'government efficiency' is a slap to the faces of all that have lost their livelihoods." —icylatte763 30."I served 24 years in the USAF. During that, I had four tours in Southeast Asia. I flew (flight engineer) 867 combat missions during those four tours. I do not think I can ever explain my utter disgust for Donald Trump. It appears he sees everything through a prism that seems to multiply everything he sees. If a group of 100 people attends one of his rallies, his mind sees 10,000 people. He relishes being in the spotlight. I will never accept his disdain/disrespect for the US military, be it active duty, retired, or former military personnel." "Having said that, unless the Democrats or the Republicans promote and endorse a centrist candidate for president, we will be saddled with the likes of Herr Trump, JD Vance, Rep. Mike Johnson, and any of the MAGA crowd. As long as the Democrats support progressive policies and candidates, they will never take back control of Congress and the presidency." —edgycadet757 31."I was drafted into the Army in April 1966 and landed in Vietnam in December. I eventually served in the Infantry as an NCO (non-commissioned officer). While in Vietnam, I had to march in a parade in Saigon for the Vietnamese president. No one in the unit was happy about that, but we knew we had to do that. I served in an honor guard unit upon my return to the United States. We felt honored to help families through their grief, but marching in parades or for dignitaries was a chore." "Trump's 'parade' was an embarrassment and totally unnecessary money that could have been spent on salary increases for the troops." —Anonymous, 79-year-old US Army veteran 32."I loved it. It's sad to see people getting caught up in anti-Trumpism. It'd be nice if people would respect the country that gives them freedom, along with the very few who serve." —dizzysalt785 33."Former Marine, Vietnam vet. I think it was a total waste of money and our military's time to feed his ego. I also note his habit of the big 'pout' in meetings if he doesn't get his way. He really has no business being in the White House. We need an adult there, not a man-child." —youngcloud79 34."I'm a second-generation career soldier and retiree. Pops served 26 years, fought in Korea and Vietnam, while I served 22 years. I am most definitely proud of my service and the US Army; however, most soldiers who aren't assigned to the 'Old Guard' do not relish drill and ceremonies and, given a choice, would rather do almost anything else." "They showed up but were not very enthusiastic unless riding on a vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, we rarely march unless it's a school setting or just before the order for double time at PT (physical training). The pretense was honorific, but the POTUS just wanted a parade for show. Sad and unnecessary!!!" —glitteryeggplant955 lastly: "This president has shown a complete lack of respect for our military — deceased, retired, veteran, and active duty. His purging of the general ranks early in this term in his presidency showed that he has no regard for the professional military; he only wants persons who will be loyal to him rather than loyal to the Constitution that they swore to protect and defend." "Now, he is using the Army as props to satisfy his ego and need to feel powerful. It's a shameless/shameful display of narcissism that has no bounds. His actions make the US appear weak rather than strong, and he becomes more of an embarrassment to our country day by day." —Anonymous 66-year-old US Air Force veteran you're a US military member or a veteran, how has serving under President Trump felt different compared to other administrations? Let us know in the comments or by using this anonymous form. Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason Also in In the News: "Honestly Speechless At How Evil This Is": 26 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Week Also in In the News: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Politics
- Buzz Feed
US Military Members Get Honest About Trump's Parade
By now, you're probably aware that on Saturday, the Trump administration held a festival and parade for the Army's 250th anniversary — an event that also coincided with Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The celebration featured 6,600 troops, 150 military vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft. While the official cost was not disclosed, the Army estimated the event's expenses to fall between $25 million and $45 million. From the #NoKings protests held across the country on the same day, to many critics voicing their thoughts on the event online, there's been no shortage of opinion on the whole affair. Because the parade was ultimately to be in service of the Army, we asked military members, both active and retired, to share what they thought of the day. Hundreds of US military members and veterans chimed in — here's what they had to say: "Former US Army here, '82-86. Trump is the greatest threat this nation has ever faced." —edgycat84 "Marine vet, '07-16. It is disgraceful that Trump used the military to boost his little ego. A man who has never lifted a finger to help anyone in his life just wasted millions of dollars to have his own little parade. I would have taken a third non-judicial punishment (NJP) for refusing to march in that parade with a smile on my face." "Horrid. Embarrassing. Complete waste of money." "Disabled veteran here. I work with homeless veterans providing substance abuse and mental health assistance. I come from a long line of veterans, enlisted and officers in all four branches, and my kid is currently serving in the National Guard. That parade the orange fool put on was a disgrace. He is a draft dodger, a criminal, a racist, and a sexist pariah." "That was NOT put on as a celebration for the Army's birthday, and anyone who tricks themselves into believing that is choosing delusion. This is not the America that I or any family member sacrificed and fought for. It's disheartening that my kid has to serve under this abomination of a 'Commander in Chief.' By the way, I was proudly at the #NoKings protest that day."—Anonymous 42-year-old US Navy veteran "I am a retired senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) with just over 20 years of service. This parade should never have happened. This was a vanity show for Trump. We are not North Korea, China, or Russia. We generally have national parades at the conclusion of major victories (though that is not always the case) and not at the whim of a 'dear leader.' Right now, our soldiers need the barracks renovated. I have a son serving in the Army right now, and he tells me about the serious shortcomings of the dining facilities." "Being a 25-year Navy veteran, I'm shocked and disgusted by the blatant waste of taxpayers' money. Where is the rest of our so-called government?" "Air Force vet here, and I am constantly reminded that our oaths are to the Constitution, not the president. It is, in fact, our duty to refuse orders that go against it." "I served 22 years and had to march in parades for Veterans Day. In those instances, it was meaningful because the crowd was there to thank us for our service. When we showed up, we were treated well, and the crowd appreciated us showing up. NO POLITICAL PURPOSE AT ALL. Had this president EVER served or at the very least shown respect to Veterans like John McCain and medal of honor recipients, maybe it wouldn't piss us vets off." "But here we are, marching for a person who has been more disrespectful to veterans than any other president in the history of this country. Far worse, disregarding the Constitution, we swear an oath to 'protect and defend against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic.' And to say it's for the Army's birthday and not his birthday is a farce. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and recognizes the collective strength and contributions of all five branches. That would make more sense."—Anonymous 44-year-old US Air Force veteran "Marine Afghanistan veteran, '06-13. As I have stated before, if it were really 'about the troops,' the Marines should be having their birthday parade around November 10, [the United States Marine Corps birthday]. But we won't, because everything he has done since announcing he'd run 10 years ago has been about no one but him. He's a selfish, arrogant, stupid embarrassment of a Commander in Chief. That f**kface doesn't know shit about sacrifice. Duty. Honor. Integrity. If you think he ever gave a shit about veterans your head has been up your ass." "I am very hurt by all the negative comments. Who cares that it's the orange man's birthday? That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am currently serving in the Army close enough to DC that I would've gone. I didn't because my police officer husband got called into work to deal with the protests, and I didn't feel safe taking my toddler to the area. I am so upset that I missed out on that celebration because people are upset." "I feel for those soldiers who were caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, it's their duty to obey orders. On the other hand, they fully knew they were there to pump up the ego of the tiny man who has nothing but disdain for them, and is on the record for calling their fallen brothers' losers.'" "This week has been tough for me, as a Guard member from the 1990s. I never deployed overseas, but was activated a half dozen times to help my fellow New Yorkers during times of need, and I was one of the first ones deployed for the TWA 800 crash. Seeing fellow National Guardsmen sent into California, and then made to throw a vanity birthday parade for somebody who did everything he could to avoid ever wearing a uniform? It just plain hurts me to my core to see somebody who's insulted soldiers so openly just continue to use them like this for his self-promotion and vanity." —Anonymous 49-year-old US Army National Guard veteran "Having a convicted felon as Commander in Chief holding a parade of self aggrandizement is beyond dishonoring veterans and active duty service men and women…it's vanity porn." "I would NEVER be a part of anything this administration does. I am so glad that I got out of the military at the beginning of the first Trump administration. This is not what the army stands for. Nothing this administration does is for freedom of any kind. It's all driven by selfish billionaire interest." "It's a disgraceful attempt to boost a wannabe authoritarian's ego. I'd much rather see my tax dollars go toward programs that help existing military, disabled veterans, and their families." "I am a former naval officer of 10 years and a Gulf War veteran. I don't care what party is in office, our service members are not trained monkeys to perform for someone's ego trip. I'm also insulted every time I see a politician rendering a salute when they are not veterans. This is especially true when the president is a draft dodger. The money spent on the ego trip should have been sent to the Veterans Administration and active duty welfare programs." —Anonymous 58-year-old US Navy veteran "Dumbest thing ever. We have so many homeless vets and the VA is facing major cuts." "As a veteran, I've marched in parades before, proudly. Never have I marched in one to honor someone who openly disrespects me (the military and veterans), and wasted so much money on such a massive ego trip, which was ultimately a flop. Maybe some of those soldiers were proud to march, but it did not appear that way. No 'nine to the front and six to the rear' in sight. They were just walking." "As an Air Force veteran (9+ years active duty), I considered it a privilege to serve President Reagan in any direct capacity. My heavy-lift helicopter unit in West Germany supported his visits to the European Economic Summits in the '80s. And we were extremely proud to support him in any way, not just because he was the Commander in Chief, but because he respected all service members and their sacrifices for our country. While we never participated in any kind of parade, we knew he cared about us." "I can completely understand the lack of enthusiasm from the participants in Trump's 'birthday parade,' as he has shown not only a lack of respect for the military in general, but also disdain and contempt for veterans. To get respect (from the military), you must show (to the military) respect. Donald Trump respects no one. And nothing. He got what he deserved: humiliation."—crunchyowl271 "I thought it was a fantastic, heartfelt tribute to the US Army on their 250th birthday. After being a Vietnam area vet, being in uniform during the polarized '70s, and being disrespected by my friends and just people on the street, seeing this type of recognition and support for the military helped me heal old wounds. I see no politics here. Can't we just respect those who serve without always 'picking sides?'" "We do not have to have a parade to celebrate our military might. We do that every time we show up on the battlefield to defend our rights and our freedoms." "Definitely was embarrassed by the whole affair. Poor attendance, poor parade, and very unimpressive to all the watchers. I was at the 2015 Beijing parade celebrating the end of WWII and saw a well-organized, precision review of infantry and mechanized performers. Not like what I saw Saturday." "It is absolutely disgusting for a man whose rich daddy protected him from the draft to throw himself a military birthday parade. It really underscores the complete lack of respect he has already shown to armed services members, current and former. That money would have been much better served by programs for veterans and active duty members. It's like these MAGAts I see who have military or police stickers on their cars or emblems on their shirts who have never served a day and likely never will." "They speak racial and LGBTQ hatred, and consider themselves to be patriots. They're more like parrots! The pledge of allegiance literally has the words, 'Liberty and Justice for ALL,' not just those whose skin color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity you agree with. I took an oath to the Constitution; Trump constantly violates it. He needs to be impeached! I'm glad that there was such a poor turnout for his pathetic parade, while there were massive turnouts for the No Kings protests."—Anonymous 53-year-old US Army veteran "I didn't see the parade live, but saw the highlights on the news and other media outlets. I felt worse for my fellow service members than anything else. People who support this type of nonsense don't realize that places like North Korea can do their synchronous march because they are NOT in the field war-gaming and preparing to defend the nation at a moment's notice. You don't become the world's best fighting force by doing drills and marching all day, every day." "I served when our adversary was the Soviet Union. After hearing his praise of Vladimir Putin, I think that our present adversary may be Donald Trump." "I was an Army photographer, discharged general, upgraded to honorable 6 months after discharge, and covered countless ceremonies, training events, and missions. Honestly, most ceremonies I'd cover, I'd have to weed out photos because people would like to flip the photographer off; mostly fun, or being disgruntled, but no active duty likes marching, especially if it's humid. It's not a lack of discipline or a political statement; it's just boring, and on a Saturday to celebrate the Army's birthday, there are more fun ways of doing that." "Only thing I'd say, which doesn't surprise me, is that our higher-ups actually went along with it. Pull their service records. They probably have a silver star for literally showing up for deployment, while some enlisted soldier had to save their entire platoon while being shot multiple times, then dying of their wounds to have their family get the silver star six years after their death. Those soldiers showed discipline and honor, just not to bad leaders."—savoryscissors501 "It was the 250th anniversary of the US Army's founding, and I'm reflecting on the dedication and service of its members. While parades weren't my favorite part of my time in uniform, I understand their significance. It's important to look beyond political divides and truly appreciate the commitment of the men and women who serve in our military." "I believe that it was a great idea to honor the Army with a parade to celebrate 250 years of service to our country. However, to honor a birthday for one of the worst leaders that this country has ever had at the same ceremony was a disgrace to all past and present service members. I served 22 years in the USAF and retired now. I am grateful that I do not have to serve under the current president, who clearly does not understand democracy and wants to turn this country into a monarchy so he can be a king." "14-year Army veteran here. I thought having a military parade in the same vein as the ones dictators hold in their honor was absolutely disgusting. Honoring a draft-dodging wannabe king is a dishonor to all who have served honorably and are still serving. Amidst all of the firings of veterans in the name of 'government efficiency' is a slap to the faces of all that have lost their livelihoods." —icylatte763 "I served 24 years in the USAF. During that, I had four tours in Southeast Asia. I flew (flight engineer) 867 combat missions during those four tours. I do not think I can ever explain my utter disgust for Donald Trump. It appears he sees everything through a prism that seems to multiply everything he sees. If a group of 100 people attends one of his rallies, his mind sees 10,000 people. He relishes being in the spotlight. I will never accept his disdain/disrespect for the US Military, be it active duty, retired, or former military personnel." "I was drafted into the Army in April 1966 and landed in Vietnam in December. I eventually served in the Infantry as an NCO (non-commissioned officer). While in Vietnam, I had to march in a parade in Saigon for the Vietnamese President. No one in the unit was happy about that, but we knew we had to do that. I served in an honor guard unit upon my return to the United States. We felt honored to help families through their grief, but marching in parades or for dignitaries was a chore." "I loved it. It's sad to see people getting caught up in anti-Trumpism. It'd be nice if people would respect the country that gives them freedom, along with the very few who serve." "Former Marine, Vietnam vet. I think it was a total waste of money and our military's time to feed his ego. I also note his habit of the big 'pout' in meetings if he doesn't get his way. He really has no business being in the White House. We need an adult there, not a man-child." —youngcloud79 "I'm a second-generation career soldier and retiree. Pops served 26 years, fought in Korea and Vietnam, while I served 22 years. I am most definitely proud of my service and the US Army; however, most soldiers who aren't assigned to the 'Old Guard' do not relish drill and ceremonies and, given a choice, would rather do almost anything else." And lastly: "This President has shown a complete lack of respect for our military — deceased, retired, veteran, and active duty. His purging of the general ranks early in this term in his presidency showed that he has no regard for the professional military; he only wants persons who will be loyal to him rather than loyal to the Constitution that they swore to protect and defend." If you're a US military member or a veteran, how has serving under President Trump felt different compared to other administrations? Let us know in the comments or at this anonymous form. Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: Is online vote kept private?
Question : To vote in Honolulu's neighborhood board elections, the voter goes to a website, inputs a unique password and PIN they received in the mail, makes their selections and submits their online ballot. Does this system ensure voter privacy, so that no one knows who a specific voter voted for ? If yes, how ? I did not cast my ballot this time around because I could not find an explanation of how the online voting system works to ensure a secret ballot. Answer : Voting for Oahu's 2025 neighborhood board elections ran from April 25 through May 16. Election results are expected today after paper mail-in ballots postmarked by May 16 are counted (voters unable to vote online could request a paper ballot ). Results will be posted on the website of the municipal government's Neighborhood Commission Office, . As for your questions, here's how the online voting system works, according to emails from Jackson Coley, an NCO spokesperson, who said he based the responses on information from the city's Department of Information Technology : 'Yes, the system ensures voter privacy by design. Here's how : 'Unique Credentials : Each voter receives a private, unique passcode and PIN via USPS mail, ensuring only authorized individuals can access the voting portal. 'No Public Access : There is no public website or database to query or identify who voted for whom, preserving ballot secrecy. 'Restricted Database : Ballot data is stored in a secure, restricted database with limited access, and Neighborhood Commission Office employees cannot retrieve individual voting records through their admin tools. 'Legal Safeguards : The only way to identify a specific voter's choices would require a court-ordered subpoena, which is a formal and highly controlled process. 'This structure prevents unauthorized access to individual votes, ensuring that no one (including the Neighborhood Commission Office ) can determine how a specific voter cast their ballot.' Oahu has 36 neighborhood boards, according to the NCO website, which are meant to assure citizens' participation in government decisions. Social Security town hall Social Security will be the topic as AARP Hawai 'i hosts a telephone town hall Saturday at 9 a.m. with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and Chad Mullen, AARP's director of financial security. People who have participated in past AARP telephone town halls will get a call to join, while others can call in toll-free at 833-305-0175 when the forum begins, according to an AARP news release. Participants will be able to ask questions, it said. More than 1 in 5 Hawaii residents receive Social Security payments, according to AARP, a nonprofit group representing the interests of older Americans. Mahalo On May 16 I had an incident with my car in the Alii Place parking garage. I was going to park in this man's stall after he left. Well, my car decided to stop in his path. Dead. I approached him and another young man, Arthur, who were so helpful pushing my car into the vacant stall. Arthur then jumped into my car and fiddled with the gear shift and buttons. Voila, it started. It seems I have a Sport function on the gear shift, and I tripped it. I was so blessed to have had two guardian angels helping me with this weird situation.—Linda (Editor's note : Activating Sport mode shouldn't have caused your car to die, according to our quick review of the power-boosting option, but regardless of the cause, we're glad help was on hand. This feature is not limited to sports cars—it's common on sedans and SUVs—and generally is activated with the touch of a button or the flip of the switch, allowing a vehicle to accelerate faster while merging onto a highway, for example.)------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Can India create an effective framework to bridge the skill gap in its workforce?
Skill shortage, where job vacancies remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates. Skill gap, where individuals, even if formally qualified, lack actual competencies needed to perform effectively on the job. The study also broadens the definition of 'skills' to include not only technical and vocational proficiency, but also cognitive and socio-emotional capabilities - all of which are critical for productivity and long-term employability. To test and validate the proposed framework, the study took a stepwise approach. Live Events Selected 7 high-growth sectors based on such indicators as their contribution to GVA, employment share, growth trajectory and strategic relevance. Additional parameters such as input-output multipliers and sunrise potential were used to identify sectors most likely to drive employment in the short-to-medium term. Roles, as defined by Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), were aligned with National Classification of Occupations (NCO) 2015 to ensure consistency across data and analytical frameworks. This harmonisation enables more accurate forecasting and helps align skill development efforts with actual labour market needs. Macro-level workforce analysis included examining the profile of workers - educational qualifications (general, technical and vocational), gender and occupation types - using available national datasets like PLFS and Annual Survey of Industries. Simultaneously, the study identified geographical clusters across states and districts to understand where economic and employment activity is concentrated. Input-output modelling techniques used to forecast shifts in job demand over a 3-year horizon. Drawing on data from NAS, PLFS and international growth forecasts, these simulations offered insights into the scale and nature of workforce requirements likely to emerge across sectors. Identification of top occupations or potentially facing skill shortages and/or gaps, stakeholders across the value chain were systematically mapped and interviewed. India needs a dynamic framework to track skill demand and supply. While national and state-level studies have been conducted since 2011, lack of a common methodology has made it difficult to reconcile a national 2024-25, skill development and entrepreneurship ministry and NCAER launched a study to build a unified, scalable framework for skill gap assessment . This aimed to create a regularly updated system for tracking skill needs across states and sectors. It proposes a dynamic framework that enables continuous monitoring and periodic countries with mature skill ecosystems rely on a combination of quantitative and qualitative tools to assess skill needs. India, too, has seen fragmented efforts by multiple institutions, each applying its own framework creates a baseline from which governments, training providers and employers can work together to better target resources, update training curricula, revise qualification packs, and identify underserved regions or occupations requiring focused it requires additional steps needed to make the system fully operational and responsive to real-time changes:A more robust and granular survey instrument can capture data on employment levels, wage structures, qualifications and skill requirements across non-agricultural enterprises, with district-level representation to ensure that local workforce trends are adequately reflected in national vacancies could serve as a practical proxy for identifying hard-to-fill roles. A common national definition of such vacancies would allow for consistent tracking across regions and labour market insights drawn from enterprise records, online job portals and digital employment platforms could help identify emerging occupations, spatial mismatches and shifting industry needs. This would allow for quicker course corrections and timely updates to training curricula and qualification task ahead is to institutionalise the MSDE-NCAER framework and align it with evolving labour market trends through regular data flows and support state-level adoption. For this to happen, skill-gap studies must become central to how we plan, fund and implement investments.
