President Barack Obama's approval ratings and popularity among active-duty U.S. military personnel have taken a sharp downward turn, with the commander-in-chief's numbers plummeting to a new all-time low, according to a new poll.
The president's popularity rating has cratered to just 15 percent of active-duty service members in 2014, with about 55 percent claiming they disapprove of Obama's job as commander-in-chief, according to an annual Military Times survey.
Although Obama has struggled to gain the approval of troops throughout his time in office, these numbers reflect a new low for the president, who finished his first year in office with a 35-percent approval figure and only 40 percent disapproving in 2009, according to the Military Times survey of more than 2,300 active-duty service members.
The particularly low rating comes as Obama has been tested by the rise of the Islamic State, a militant group that has taken wide control over swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq, after vowing to keep combat ground troops out of the conflict, Breitbart reported.
Among other reasons cited for Obama's plunging popularity are a series of challenges to traditional military structure, where he has been forcing "profound change," from repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to lifting the ban on women in combat.
While 60 percent of active-duty troops support allowing gay men and women to serve openly in the military, 41 percent of service members believe some combat roles should be off-limits for women.
Troop morale has also slumped during the Obama administration, falling to 56 percent this year from 91 percent who were satisfied with their quality of life in 2009, CNN reported. Additionally, more than half of American troops believe they are underpaid today.
Obama has, however, made efforts to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq and end combat operations in Afghanistan. He has also deployed members of the military to combat the Ebola threat in Africa.
Half of the active duty service members also believe both the Republican and Democratic parties have become less supportive of military issues. Only about one in 10 said the two parties "have the armed forces' best interests at heart," according to the Military Times.
Earlier this month, President Obama visited a military base in New Jersey to recognize the troops for their service, according to Western Journalism.
"We are free and safe and secure over here because you are willing to serve over there," Obama said. "That's the noble spirit of your sacrifice. That's the selfless character of our military."
"Those are the precious gifts that you give America, not just this time of year, but all year, every year. You never stop serving. You never stop giving. You guys are like Santa in fatigues."
