Military Officer - May 2007 - (Page 14)

yourviews “In wars past, [Ivy League] institutions contributed mightily to the country’s effort.“ — Lt. William Moynahan, USN drawbacks and adjustments to service tour lengths, and training will be needed, but the strategic advantage of a citizen-soldier force with a core of regular career people is overwhelming. It will be less expensive, more ﬂexible, more socially balanced, and a “growing up” machine for American youth preparing them for responsible political and other leadership positions throughout our American nation. Lt. Col. Craig Hutzler, USAF-Ret. Seattle Vintage Images I am a combat veteran of World War II, Korea, and three tours in Southeast Asia. I remember a lot of the World War II posters, but only one of [those] you published [“The War Poster,” March 2007] — the one boosting the SPARS. The one that I remember the best was Rosie the Riveter. I can still picture her with the red bandanna tied around her hair to keep it out of the machinery. I just found out last month that Rosie is still living and just celebrated her 86th birthday. … I’m hoping that I come into the Wafﬂe House in Niceville when she is there having her breakfast, which she does fairly regularly. Col. Raymond W. Hinck, USAF-Ret. Niceville, Fla. force. Also, I would say the nation has been wellserved by it, in terms of its professionalism, capabilities, and efﬁciencies. In my own career I was happy to see the end of the draft, with the many malcontents it brought into service, and to serve from that point on with volunteers. But your article concerning the absence of the elites in the military once the draft ended [“One Percent,” March 2007] makes many solid points regarding the debate about a draft military or all-volunteer service. I have often wondered how long any democracy can survive when the elites of its society have little respect, if not contempt, for military service, do not serve themselves, and exempt or discourage their children from such service. The success of the all-volunteer force has overshadowed this problem, but that success does not diminish the larger consequences. Lt. Col. Jack Gregory, USAF-Ret. Anderson, S.C. Thoughts About a Draft I think most Americans and most career military professionals are quite happy with the all-volunteer 14 MILITARY OFFICER M AY 2 0 0 7 America needs to permanently return to the draft! There will be some Thanks for highlighting … the dearth of today’s “best and brightest” serving in the military. As a Harvard alumnus who signed up for Navy OCS after graduation, I suppose I represent the exception. (I currently serve as an instructor pilot, having completed a ﬂeet tour ﬂying F-18s.) Clearly Ivy Leaguers hold no monopoly on being “bright,” and as a group their service in the military would hardly make for a panacea. That aside, I believe the country does lose something when young people from those universities decide en masse to forgo wearing the uniform. … In wars past, Harvard and these other institutions contributed mightily to the country’s effort. Should that not now be the case as well? The background and perspective these individuals would bring to the table is not inconsiderable. What’s more, the beneﬁt would be two-way — as these “elites” who serve would later take their experience with them as they move into leadership positions in business, government, etcetera. It’s no secret that as fewer veterans serve in Congress, we risk having federal ofﬁcials in charge of a military they do not understand. The difﬁculties of the “long war” we now

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - May 2007

Military Officer - May 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: Back Home Capt. David Porter, Pirate Hunter Where Valor Rests Emblems of Courage MOAA Member Services Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index Member Books MOAA Calendar MOAA Scholarship Donors Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - May 2007

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