Backtalk: A military for everyone

[unhappycamper]

A military for everyone
By Capt. Steven Raiser

“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same ...”

That’s the oath taken by all who join our military. According to a Zogby poll in September 2004, 850 males between the ages of 18 and 30 were asked why they would join the military. The top answers were “defending my country from foreign invasion” and “patriotism.” In that same survey they were asked what would keep them from joining the military, the No. 1 response was “disagreement with American foreign policy.”

This year, it was a dark horse presidential candidate, Rep. Ron Paul from Texas, who received more donations from active-duty and retired soldiers than any other Republican candidate. It was no coincidence that he was the only Republican candidate who voted against the Iraq war and advocated for a more restrained foreign policy.

Americans are taking note of how soldiers are being used for missions, and these citizens are choosing not to join. Simultaneously, soldiers choose not to re-enlist, and even leave the military before their contracts have expired.

Desertion rates have risen 80 percent within the past four years. Promises of increased enlistment cash bonuses, millions spent on upbeat television ads, loose requirements such as accepting lower test scores, an increase in the maximum age to join and allowing mental health waivers — they all add up to nothing more than stopgap measures ill-advised and ill-suited to solve our recruitment and retention crisis.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_backtalk_military_040708/