Email Responses
To
The Draft (Cont)
| I want to
know how many of those that said the draft should be instituted are of draft
age! I spent 8 years in the Army and have one combat tour (Persian Gulf).
I said "Bye" after so many of my benefits were cut and I faced
the prospect of being sent to Bosnia. I personnally do not care if Serbs
are killing Albanians. Do you? Does anybody? It looks bad on CNN, but lets
face it, the Muslim regions (mainly shiite) are the source of the majority
of America's problems (Iran, Iraq, terrorism, etc.) No, I don't think ethnic
cleansing is okay, but I also don't think it is okay to send me, or anybody
else, to a region of the world that has been at odds for centuries and has
NO effect on American security. What would we think if France started bombing
us in an attempt to right the wrongs our government has done against the
Native Americans or Black Americans. Did we try sanctions? No. Extreme diplomatic
pressures to stop trade etc? No. And if we are so concerned with ethnic
cleansing, what about the severe problems in Africa? All of it is a big
political lie to get an American foothold in a region of the world that
we never really had any influence, and it holds some economic significance.
Get a foothold, make some money. The rich get richer...It scares me that
so many Americans are persuaded by what they see on CNN. I am proud to have served. I love my country, but the sorry asses that run it (hardly no veterans) make me sick. When I served, I spent between 5-8 months a year living away from my family in extreme conditions. Believe me, some jail time for refusing the draft would be a CAKE WALK after the environments I have lived in. And no, I wasn't a typist, cook, or alter boy in the Army. I was in Armor (tanks). I was in a combat job and I performed well. All my senior NCOs and Officers were trying to get me to stay. When I left I was a gunner for the battalion commander and was asked almost on a daily basis to re-enlist, both from him and others that he had asked to question my decision. I struggle now, wanting to finish my degree and get a commision, but unsure as to whether it is worth it. The pay certainly is not. Raise your hand and offer to give your life: face health care cuts, bad pay, crappy living conditions, and a bleak uncertain career. Congress had better pull its head out of its fifth point of contact or they are really going to face some serious problems. If congress wants me to join back up...increase the pay (so I can enjoy what time I do have at home, and don't have to get WIC like my wife did), don't send me to every pissy region of the world to solve others problems, and DON"T GO BACK ON THE BENEFITS THAT WERE ALREADY PROMISED TO ME! I am working on my computer science degree now and wonder if they can make the Army inviting for me once again. To be honest, I think I would be a bigger fool if I went for a second time. For those vets that think I am a whiner...to hell with them. I served well, I have a combat tour for this country, and I can say anything I damn well please about my country...I fought for it. I earned it. If you think the government can make you mad as a civilian, try being a soldier for awhile! I am done raving now. Any talk of a draft just tickles me though. Think about it, if you have to force somebody to do something, the job probably isn't worth it. Make it inviting, treat soldiers with respect and honesty and you won't have any recruitment problems. I have eight years of experience under my belt, if they want me back they had better straighten out very quick. Too bad it isn't looking that way. Oh well, I can make twice as much, if not more, in the civilian world (and I get to sleep at home with a roof over my head). -Shawne Former Sgt. promotable and Combat Veteran |
| Hi Shawn! Yes, the poll results have confused me, as well. I really didn't think that a majority of people would want the draft regardless. I personally think that the next five years is going to be very good for the military as far as pay and allowances go. My daughters are getting ready to join the Air Force next year, and I think it will be a good time (pay & benefit-wise) to join. However, they don't plan to make it a career (just some time to mature, and get ready for college), and I wouldn't push them to make it a career. It's too easy, I have seen, for Congress to take away in the future, what once was given. Rod |
| Just a quick
question, in regards to the draft problem, another problem raises its head.
When Clinton promised to allow gays into the military there was serious
objections, since that time, the gay-hunts and discharges from the military
keep popping up. Does this seem like a confused state that the military
is in? Meaning that they kick out people that are trying to serve their
country, highly experienced people many times but are also suffering a shortage
at the same time. Also, if a draft comes out of this 'need', will gays still
be turned away, or allowed in to be beaten/murdered, blackmailed, etc. like
they have been in the past, or allowed in during highly needed times to
be 'kicked' out for being gay (which they were when they entered also) when
the less 'needed' times (such as during W.W.II)? Kevin |
| Hi
Kevin! It's easy to see which side of the homosexuality poll you'd be on <grin>. I need to correct a couple of points. You said "allowed in to be beaten/murdered, blackmailed, etc) like they have in the past. If I'm not mistaken, the Army is in the mist of court-martialing the soldier accused of beating that poor gay soldier for murder. That doesn't sound to me like anyone is "allowing" this to happen. If found guilty, this soldier is subject to the death penalty. Second, Although President Clinton campaigned about allowing gays to serve in the armed forces, he himself, approved a compromise. The compromise is the current don't ask, don't tell, policy. It recognizes the truth that gays have always served, along with the truth that open gays in the military at this point in time would cause many problems. When folks currently enlist, they are not asked what their sexual preference is, but all are told that if they admit openly to being gay, that is a reason for discharge (honorable). Since the inception of the policy 93 percent of all homosexuals discharged were a result of the person openly admitting to being a homosexual. As they knew about the discharge policy in advance, this would indicate to me that their goal was to be discharged. (Possibly, many heteralsexuals have used this as a "dodge" to get discharged). Once our Forum Board is up and running, I would be more than happy to debate with you (or anyone) the pros and cons about allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve in the armed forces. Rod |
| Hello, wow,
that was a quick response (thank you). Which side of the fence regarding
gays in the military am I on? Well, depends on the gays in question actually.
I don't like many people from either side. The factor regarding the military
trial going on at present is a good point on your part, however, as many
people know, there are many times in the military, all branches included,
where undesirables are often set upon by the others meaning their peers,
I think I remember things called 'blanket parties' in the middle of the
night. I am not sure if that is the correct term, but I do know of several
instances. The assumption that gays are fine as long as they don't mention
the fact that they are gay, have sex with a man, don't 'get off' by going
to the 'tit' bars, etc. There have also been times that the military (again
all branches) have not had a problem with homosexuals in their ranks, of
course these are again usually times of desperate need for manpower of any
type. Kevin |
| Hi
Kevin! I'll save most of my "debate" on this issue until we get our Delphi Board up and running. I really look forward to doing an article on this subject, then having an intelligent debate in the Forum. However, I wish to make one point: I don't think that the beating of gays, or anyone (ie blanket parties) is condoned at all by the military. When caught, such persons are ALWAYS punished. I know. I spent 11 years as a First Sergeant and handed out a large share of the punishments. Rod |
