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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: unclewest who wrote (97921)	1/31/2005 9:11:20 PM
From: MrLucky	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793759

I still like the idea of training sailors and airmen to fight like Infantry. I see it as a greater benefit for the USAF than the USN since the sailors are largely aboard ship versus on an USAF base. No problem with the overall concept. Don't see it happening due to inter-service rivalry and the rigidity of DOD.

To: unclewest who wrote (97921)	2/1/2005 3:45:26 PM
From: greenspirit	Respond to of 793759

Mike, first off, there is no reason for you to point out the difficulties in dealing with some of the "idiots and malcontents" in the service today. I am well versed in that subject, because I live it practically every day. Secondly, I have not denigrated anyone. I simply pointed out that largely due to the draft we had allot of unmotivated dope smokers in the service during the Vietnam era, and you seem to want to put your head-in-the-sand and pretend it didn't exist, while waxing nostalgically about the impressive million man army we once had. The problem with your analysis is; we don't need a million man army today to fight the war on terror. And even if we did, forcing a bunch of unmotivated kids into the service would lower the standards, and bring us back to the days many of us would just as soon forget, a time when leaders tossed lives away like cannon fodder and gave as much thought to the families of service members as they did which trucks were hauling the booze into theatre. Give me a motivated high school drop out any day over an unmotivated forced to serve bright kid. I'll teach him/her what they need to know and find a meaningful role for them to fill. Contrary to your posts, everyone doesn't operate sophisticated equipment, the Marines I worked with today are great, in incredible shape, and I love every last one of them, but they are not rocket-scientists as you seem to suggest. I've led many dropouts who learn faster and are more intelligent. The reason the pay is higher today is because the service is voluntary and they need to compete for talent. The reason we spend so much time looking for ways to improve the quality of life for our people is because we don't want to lose their talent, we need them and we must compete for their service. I see that as a good thing, it provides the right kind of motivation to our leaders and politicians to improve the experience of serving. Lastly, you say I am getting emotional. No, not really. I just care about this issue and have put up a spirited opinion based defense of the "we need a draft" concept you came up with. Have a great one and keep in mind, old dogs may not be able to learn new tricks, but old soldiers can. :)