"they have found that the numbers from 2016 through 2020 were “increased” exponentially to look as though 2021 was not an abnormal year. " If that isn't straight out of 1984, I don't know what is. DOD should be changed to the Ministry of Truth.

They probably added in all the VA veterans data since that is part of the military and did not identify it was data from older and likely out of shape ex military. Now that would make this chart more likely but on the other hand doing it right as the original numbers were seen as accurate without clarifying that this was NOT only active serving personnel is underhanded and immoral and the person that ordered it needs to lose their commission and get a dishonorable discharge and face jail time for willful fraud is a thing that should be pursued.