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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
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To: unclewest who wrote (52869)7/5/2004 1:05:02 PM
From: ManyMoose  Read Replies (1) of 793801
 
Your comment (Those volunteers who meet the current Army standards for enlistment are definitely smart enough to do the jobs and do them well.)
provoked the following recollection, which I relate here with absolutely no disrespect or intent. It's simply a memory I have from childhood.

My Dad was a sergeant in the Marine Corps during WWII starting in 1938 until 1946. Among his assignments: Gunpointer on a five inch gun on the Northampton. Coxswain of the admiral's barge, glider pilot trainee which turned into navigator on a PBJ (Corps equivalent of a B-25) when the glider program was disbanded. Trainees with a High School diploma became pilots; my Dad didn't have one so he became a navigator. Aerologist (weather man). Recruiting sergeant.

In the latter role, recruiting sergeant, Dad told me how young men would line up to get in the Corps. Some he would turn away, for whatever reason. Possibly they wore glasses or had some other characteristic he perceived didn't make the grade. He said those fellows went across the street and joined in the army.

Perhaps this is all just a bit of Marine Corps hubris, but my Dad was a quiet and humble man. I wish he were still here so I could talk to him about it.

I make up for that by talking to my father-in-law, who became a B-17 pilot as a non-commissioned Flight Officer. He flew twelve missions before being hit by flak.

My brother-in-law trained most of the B-52 pilots in SAC before it was disbanded. He said the newer kids picked up on it much faster owing to their familiarity with video games.

Anyway, again, no disrespect vis a vis the army. Your comment simply stimulated a lot of memories.
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