In case my blog suddenly goes unattended a few months from now, you can assume that the Fort Campell Crew Chief I met at Howl at the Moon on Saturday has gotten through Recruiter school and has figured out a way to waive the age restrictions. No kidding. I gave him my card and said that if he figured out a way to make it happen, I'd sign on the dotted line and do a few years with the good guys! Stay tuned... ;-)
US Representative, Charlie Rangel (D-NY) is at it again. Rangel's prescription for fixing the ills we're feeling in Iraq is a draft . I have very mixed feelings about this. Conscription is conscription no matter what you choose to label it. Is that appropriate in a free country? On the flip side of this coin, I've often thought that compulsory national service would be a great idea for American kids right out of high school. It might have been a better start for me than learning to down beer at a Liberal Arts university! Two years in the service might give kids time to think about their future, learn higher levels of responsibility, and begin to take life more seriously. There are many countries who require some level of mandatory military service: Belarus, Chile, China, Croatia, Serbia, Russia, Iran, Lebanon, our neighbor Mexico, and our old buddy Germany, to name a few. Gee, now that I look at that partial list... aren't many of those countries Socialist or at battl...
Comments
What an incredible turn of events. Words almost fail.
Best of luck Dawn, and may the Fates be kind. Of course,
I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't suggest that
you also check with the USN recruiter if the waiver is granted ;)
Occasionally, when I sortie into the civilian community wearing the uniform, I am
greeted by well wishers that say, "I support you whole heartedly."
And although I am glad to hear the words and I am uplifted by them, as I walk away,
I sometimes wonder if that person has ever put any real action into that sentiment.
Have they ever written a Soldier? Sent a care package to a Sailor? Participated
in an organized event of support? Did they even vote? Or simply buy the cup of coffee for the man or woman in uniform standing in line in front of them at the local
coffee shop?
Deciding to put on the uniform is the ultimate act of support for
the troops, and I am sincerely and genuinely touched by your actions.
But whatever the outcome of the waiver, Dawn, know this; You already contribute more than your share to the welfare of the troops and the security and freedom of our Nation.
Your unflagging support, and positive, concrete actions in your community and with
national organizations such as Protest Warrior have already made
you as valuable to our country as the Soldier that you hope to be.
God bless you, and may all your dreams come true.
Sincere Best Wishes,
Master Chief
If I could redo some of my mistakes from the past, one "do over" would be that I would indeed go into the Air Force as originally planned back in 1982 instead of getting married to the Navy Recruiter and dropping out of the Delayed Entry Program! Needless to say, the Navy is out for this girl for obvious reasons. ;-)
In any case, I'll echo Master Chief's words of encouragement,
Sincere best wishes,
CPL Kadnine
Silly! You'd be a credit to the uniform... whatever the color.
I don't recall that one. But then again, I'm a product of the Kentucky public school system.