>also, talking about we need to build back up our military,
>it doesn't seem like we're getting our butts handed to us
>anywhere, so why worry about that? war nowadays seems to be
>mostly "push a button and watch em burn"

While I think that the boot camp experience will benifit a lot of kid out there, I don't think that we are at a point where the military is danger of not being able to accomplish it's missions due to manpower.

However, "push a button and watch 'em burn" plan doesn't work because you can't win the war until you have group troops controlling the land. That's why the only way to ferret out the remaining al Qaeda and Taliban is to have the troop on the ground searching for them.

 

Oh gee here we go.I'll probably get creamed for this but my feeling is everyone regardless of social class should in my opinion have to serve a term of 3 years in the military.I mean after the wtc attacks one student was quoted as saying "some people were born for that"This kid was an oriental student,not that that in itself should matter so much as the "well because im going to college and they ca'nt" attitude.This is a very touchy subject for me because of a personal experience i had with some punk college kid about 10 years ago or so.i can remember watching an episode of Phil Donahue just as dessert storm was starting.They did the broadcast from George Bushes home in Maine.The people up on the stage were young men and women who joined the reserves for the college money and when the war started quickly became conscientious objecters.One girl said "i want to be a doctor and make a hundred thousand a year".One old guy stood up and said"every one of you up there should be lined up and shot".I admit i kind of felt the same way.I mean did they think they were just going to get the money and run?Part of the contract says that in time of war if you are needed you have to go.I guess i just feel like some people think that it's ok for someone else to fight for the freedoms they i enjoy as long as it's not them.I dont know guys like i said,it's a touchy subject with me.Let the beatings begin.

 

Oh and by the way i forgot to mention that i am former military.Dont want to be thought of as a hippocrite.thanks for letting me vent.

 

I smell a draft coming! The way the talking heads are sounding, it's inevitable. Has anyone thought of this angle? In the combat arms (infantry, armor, artillery} most units are over 70% black. That is vastly different than our populatuion make-up. If the war heats up, on, the white boys are gonna have to ruck-up and kick-in too. The army works because of it's diversified make-up, drawing all sorts of skills and people, and making use of them as a cohesive force. We need the draft.

 

>>I don't think that we are at a point where the military is danger of not being able to accomplish it's missions due to manpower.


[font size=3]THINK AGAIN.[/font size]

 

The Clinton years have downsized the military to a point to where it is a skeleton of what won the Gulf War.

More than 800,000 active duty military personnel have been reduced over the past 12 years.

Since 1990, active duty Army personnel has shrunk from 18 to 10 divisions, while the Air Force has shrunk from [/b]36 to 20 fighter wings[/b].

The Navy has reduced its ships from 565 to 346 over the last 11 years.

And skilled personnel continue to leave the military because of low pay, poor living conditions, and the effect the numerous deployments have had on their families.

These examples serve as a blatant abandonment of government’s duty to provide for the common defense. And could be the country's demise if not dealt with swiftly.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Apr-02 AT 11:03 PM (EST)]We have 30 year old helicopters,5 Ships in our navy that went to the gulf.

Good news for us though.

To beef up our Navy, the feds have ordered 16 Warrior Canoes,16 paddles (they can switch sides every two strokes),22 Crosman BB Guns.

The Army are birthing horses for the Calvary,They also get one BB gun for every soldier 1 gross (144) of those.They will be backed up 37 kids with sling shots as they are already trained.

The Airforce >
When they are deployed they will be found standing on the Canada/US border with their thumbs out looking for a lift to where ever the action is as the amount of planes that are being taken out of service are not being replaced.

Word in the wind has that Bombardier Corp,Canada, needs another $350,000,000 to dicuss the possible implementation of 32 Air Force
Hang-glider's so pilots can get real close and throw water balloons at the enemy under surprise conditions.



[i][font color=blue]Dennis[/font][i]

[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
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[font color =green] Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]


[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
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Yup -------- Including all the girlies:-

 

This is kind of off the subject, but I have sometyhing for you all to ponder. I have a cataract in my right eye, therefore I can't see out my right eye. Why should this have stopped them from letting me join the military to be a mechanic? I mean I can see not being a pilot or something, but come on. I can shoot with accuracy as well as anyone else, I'm in top physical conditon otherwise and yet I can't be in the military because of my eye. Even if I were to get it fixed and had perfect vision I wouldn't be allowed in. Why is that? It's good to have the best men and women in the country serving, but who's to say someone in my situation cannot be the best to serve? Just my ranting but it's something we should think about.

Aaron

 

I thought a Captain (except Navy) was O-3 (2LT, 1LT, CPT, MAJ, ...)
Don't know of a Navy officer making Captain in 4 years, unless perhaps a Naval Academy graduate.
(I could be wrong, if so, oh well).
My son was a Navy Pilot with excellent Fit-reps. He was o-3 after 9 years.

Doctors make more than nurses.
Corporate management makes more than technicians and analysts.
That's the American Way.

I am a Vietnam Vet. I believe every person should spend a year in Freedom appreciation. Not because I serverd, but because they need to learn what not being able to do what you want, when you want, and say what you want means. Meanwhile perform a service for the country. Arrange it to minimize conflicts with college or other aspirations, but require it by a reasonable age.

Men still have to register for the draft by law. Women don't, but can compete for any job they have, militarily or otherwise - except for a very few combat roles.


Winford

 

Lots of intersting views. I'm a Vietnam vet too. I see there are quite a few of you. I served only 2 years (wasn't drafted - enlisted for 2 years same as volunteering for draft). Of course I ended up with the infantry in 'Nam 101st Abn Div. I'm glad for the experience. I'm from a very rural area and seldom get to a larger city, but when I do, and see these tattoed, earring wearing, dyed hair freaks it makes me want to puke. A couple years of military service would help these guys figure out what is important. My $.02.

 

When I went to school on Sept. 11th, I was talking to my friend about them reinstating the draft, and he said "If I were drafted, I'd move to Canada" Then I asked him if he is not willing to fight for his country, what business does he have living in it? If he's not going to fight, who is?" He didn't have a damn thing to say to that. That said, I don't think they'll reinstate the draft. I think it would cause too much of a public uproar.