Stephen King echoed Kerry's comments...
To be honest, I was guilty of the same kind of thinking prior to my son's enlistment -- as I said, because of his intellect, I thought there were better ways for him to serve. But the reality is that they need all kinds of minds and they do a reasonable job of utilizing what they get. Throughout my son's involvement, they have constantly pushed him toward leadership roles simply because everything is based on test scores. There are some dumbasses, and there are some very bright people.
The common thread is that they all want to serve the country in their own way -- which is more than you can say for any of the Lefties -- like Chris -- who constantly bash the military.
My own experience, which is pretty much limited to exposure through my son's engineering unit via the FRG, is that most of these guys are are above-average intellect and are just very committed to the idea that they are serving the interest of the country. Most are hugely decent individuals.
There are several who currently working toward MBAs, many who are in college but not graduated, and some who are in high-paying jobs. It really cuts across the spectrum. Most are white, but there are blacks and Asians, and there are people who are in their 40s and kids who are 19.
Regardless of what the Charlie Rangels, John Kerrys, and Stephen Kings have to say, these people are the finest patriots America has in that they fully understand the threat and want to do something about it. I have customers who are reservists and have had to walk away from busy professional practices multiple times in defense of the country.
And yes, some probably disagree with the war. But soldiers don't just fight the ones they agree with. The entire point of being a soldier is that you respond when you're called on, not just if you agree with the rationale. And frankly, the decision to enlist is the same process, as you understand that the conflict you end up fighting in may not be the one going on today.
In my son's case, he was told UP-FRONT, by the recruiter he worked with, that if you enlist, you should assume that you will end up in Iraq at some point -- if you aren't prepared to do that, don't do it.
I have to say that my experience in dealing with the military as a soldier's parent, has been a totally positive one. The risk is great, but I've never heard him or anyone in his unit complain about having to do what they have to do. |
