The changing profile of the U.S. military: Smaller in size, more diverse, more women in leadership
Today’s active duty military is smaller and more racially and ethnically diverse than in previous generations. More women are officers.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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The American Veteran Experience and the Post-9/11 Generation
What it means to be a military veteran in the United States is being shaped by a new generation of service members. About one-in-five veterans today served on active duty after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Their collective experiences – from deployment to combat to the transition back to civilian life – are markedly different from those who served in previous eras.
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Key findings about Americans’ declining trust in government and each other
Americans say the public’s trust has been declining in both the federal government and in their fellow citizens. But most say this can be turned around.
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How Americans see the future of space exploration, 50 years after the first moon landing
Most Americans think sending astronauts to Mars or the moon should be a lower priority for NASA – or say it should not be done at all.
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Majorities of U.S. veterans, public say the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not worth fighting
About two-thirds of U.S. veterans say the war in Iraq was not worth fighting, while 58% say the same of the war in Afghanistan.
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Amid measles outbreak, New York closes religious exemption for vaccinations – but most states retain it
Most states in the U.S. allow children to be exempt from vaccinations due to religious concerns.
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5 facts about same-sex marriage
The share of Americans who favor same sex marriage has grown in recent years, though there are still demographic and partisan divides.
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In Western European Countries With Church Taxes, Support for the Tradition Remains Strong
Giving a share of one’s income to the church has been a part of European tradition for centuries. Today, several countries continue to collect a “church tax” on behalf of officially recognized religious organizations, in some cases levying the tax on all registered members.
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Fewer than a third of countries currently have a military draft; most exclude women
The U.S. is one of 23 countries where the military draft is authorized but not currently implemented. An additional 60 have some form of an active conscription program.
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Gender gap widens in views of government’s role – and of Trump
Gender differences in the U.S. about the size and scope of government have been evident for more than a decade, but they have widened in recent years.
