How military service became a ‘family business’
Serving in the United States military has become a “family business,” retired Army Col. Gregg Daddis says.
“There’s just now a very strong tradition of those who are serving, that their sons and daughters will follow in their footsteps,” he said.
More than three in four new U.S. Army recruits had a family member who also served, according to Pentagon data.
However, that tradition may be waning. A 2025 Blue Star Families survey found that only 37% of active-duty family respondents would recommend serving to a young relative. That number is down from 55% in 2016.
Daddis joined Woodruff for her series, Crossroads: America at 250.
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