Just spent a week with the Air Force

[MattNC]

on basically a public affairs trip b/w the military and current/upcoming civic leaders.

Although many of the airmen and officers were guarded in their comments about the Administration, my general feeling was somewhat mixed on their views towards them.

Most of the officers are very supportive of Rumsfeld's plans for a lighter, more agile military, and they gave me several examples as to why it's a good idea.

Concerning the war, most seemed to support it from what I could gather. The only real beef with the administration has been over the way the post-war operations have gone -- and this is coming from a branch not heavily involved in Iraq right now.

Also, I asked THREE Generals what their opinions were on the reinstatement of the draft since so many DU'ers seem convinced that it's returning. They all staunchly assured me that it will not be happening, barring a disaster of epic proportions to the U.S. military. There's just simply no need for it with the way the modern military operates.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. post-war

I love the Administration calls this the "post-war" phase. Couldn't we just as easily call the march to Baghdad the "pre-war phase"?

[Walt Starr]

2. Disaster of epic proportions to the U.S. military

That's already happened. Retention for the reserves is about to drop through the basement.

[MattNC]

3. i was told...

that there retentions rates will drop but will not be the disaster that some people want to predict.

[JHB]

11. In other words, they're betting on...

...wishful thinking (as much or more than we are being pessimistic on that score).

Be very careful with your teenage sons for the next decade, folks.

[lovedems]

4. This is kind of disappointing

I was hoping that you would have a scathing report of dislike for this administration from those who are in the military. They have turned their backs on them with benefits, quality healthcare, money, adequate supplies, etc. Does it look like repugs will still get a majority of the military vote or are they losing it?

[MattNC]

5. the officers

seemed to be solid Republicans. i didn't get a chance to talk to any of the enlisted airmen.

[Kolesar]

6. Military officers are 8:1 republican vs. democrat

I don't think that I would fit in. There is an article on this on the Editorials forum.

[lovedems]

7. Well, this administration is certainly keeping them employed

are the officers out of harms way, i.e safe from going to Iraq? I take it from your original post none of these people have been over to Iraq which I am sure makes a difference about how you feel about the war and the administration. Imagining it and living it are totally different.

[Bandit]

8. Air Force ~ Enough said

Bush* is "Top Gun" don't you remember? Air Force has it the best of any branch except possibly the Coast Guard. Of course they like this Administration. They aren't in 120 degree heat with little water and living on MREs. They don't pack around 125 pounds on their back every day and get shot at.

[Semi_subversive]

9. BTW

Coast Guard is Dept. of Transportation, not DOD.

[Noordam]

10. What would you expect from the Pizza Hut Air Force

... in Baghdad the Air Farce opened a Pizza Hut but refuses to allow the Army to buy in it.

[Redleg]

12. Of course Air Force officers love Rummy's plan- they benefit the most.

The Pentagon has long funneled tons of money into Air Force and Naval aviation-related projects. Meanwhile the grunts are still using a weapon (the M-16) that jams when it gets the least bit dirty and have to worry about whether they are going to be issued the new body armor before they catch a bullet in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The funny thing (okay, I mean funny in terms of irony) is that the "war on terror" is essentially a low-intensity conflict that will rely primarily on the ground forces and much less on air assets than a larger conventional war.