Turning American soldiers into an out-of-sight, out-of-mind servant class

JWR ^ | 4-18-05 | David Gelernter

[FlyLow]

Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith of the U.S. Army was the first Iraq war soldier to win the Congressional Medal of Honor — posthumously. On April 4, 2003, a group of American soldiers building a POW compound were slammed by a surprise attack. Smith organized a defense, then moved under fierce fire to an unprotected machine gun. He kept firing as the wounded were brought to safety and the attack driven off. Meanwhile he was hit, fatally.

Even Iraq war opponents and Bush-haters say they honor Smith's courage. But their "honor" is mostly a sham. Unless you understand what drives a man like Sgt. Smith to become a soldier, the honor you do him is honor with a footnote (he was a brave man, but obviously some kind of weirdo).

Here in academia, my colleagues seem determined to turn American soldiers into an out-of-sight, out-of-mind servant class who are expected to do their duty and keep their mouths shut. Remember the outcry when that uppity Army Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin announced in late 2003 that he preferred Christianity to the religion preached by Islamic terrorists, for whom the murder of innocents is evidently a holy sacrament? If you think I'm too hard on my fellow professors, explain to me why Army ROTC host colleges do not include Harvard, Yale, Stanford, the University of Chicago, Caltech…. (Princeton and a few other top universities deserve credit for not being on this list.)

[StoneGiant]

[Condor51]

With all due respect to the author, the US Army wouldn't want anyone from the University of Chicago. I've seen 'em - fugetaboutit. They couldn't walk three blocks without their 'asthma medicine', let alone hump a 70# ruck for twenty miles through the 'boonies'.

Heck, the undergrads at the UofC make those at Northwestern look like bodybuilders in comparison. They are the stereotypical, pocket protecting wearing, geeks. No offense meant, just the facts.

Al that being said, they will make GREAT Doctors one day.

[Meldrim]

During the Draft the average college male had served or was on his way to the service. Our military manpower was better, and we did it without the day care centers on every base and unisex toilets on fighting vessels.

As for whether any men at UofC would make the grade, I can tell you if Jessica Lynch can do it...most of the men there could as well, at least if they were held to Jessica's standard.

[Meldrim]

"I think I understand what motivates many soldier-hating boomers. They never served in the military, and soldiers make them feel guilty. "

Bingo. However the guilt extends especially to those who ought to have served but didn't. Take a look at the staff of most Republican congress. Hell, take a look at most Republican congressman...

[Condor51]

With all due respect, Jessica Lynch did -- SQUAT. Her only accomplishment was making it out of Basic training and AIT.

Unless you've been away for few years, she has admitted

1. She was sitting in the middle of the seat in her truck.
   
2. And ... she NEVER fired her rifle
   
3. And ... she couldn't fire it as it jambed because she NEVER cleaned it.
   
4. And lastly, it was a lone MALE (Sgt IIRC) who did all the fighting and who emptied numerous magazines during the attack. Oh and he got zilch!

Her award of the Bronze Star is the biggest INSULT to the brave men who have actually DONE something to deserve it in the history of the USA. It's even worse than Kerry getting his Silver Star.

All that being said, she could probably 'take' any male undergrad at the U of C.

[Meldrim]

Re: Lynch...precisely. Re: U of C, my guess is that I could get not a small number of Varsity Athletes who'd make terrific Airborne/Rangers, not a small number of engineering and science students who'd do very well in the Silent Service, etc.

[Grut]

Here in academia, my colleagues seem determined to turn American soldiers into an out-of-sight, out-of-mind servant class who are expected to do their duty and keep their mouths shut.

As do most senior military officers.

[Axlrose]

Well said. All that Lynch rubbish turned out to be no more than media fueled PR spin.

I thank her for her service, but she didn't deserve that Bronze Star. No more than thousands of others who frankly did more.

[Condor51]

Ok, not to carry this on, but the U of C doesn't have any Varsity athletes.

As to them being in the 'silent service', they're the same type that's now moaning to the RATS that Bolton was "mean" to them.

Again, they'll be great doctors one day.

[Little Ray]

Geeks are dangerous folks - UAVs with Hellfires, Remote Weapons Stations, battlefield robots... Don't underestimate geeks!

[thatsmrfoster2u]

It's a good thing the military doesn't need any doctors.

[Condor51]

Yes - but the point was originally about ROTC recruiting.

That would be a waste of time and money at the U of C.

[Condor51]

You're missing the point entirely.

[Little Ray]

Quite possibly you are correct; however, that should be for the military recruiting departments to decide.

I went to GA Tech - a heavier concentration of geeks is hard to find - but there was a large an very active ROTC program there. I know - I got into the Army that way (after I flunked GA - Tech)!

[Little Ray]

Quite possibly you are correct; however, that should be for the military recruiting departments to decide.

I went to GA Tech - a heavier concentration of geeks is hard to find - but there was a large an very active ROTC program there. I know - I got into the Army that way (after I flunked GA - Tech)!