SECRETARY OF DEFENSE STATEMENT ON THE DRAFT (FACTS -- not Media Spin that has been written)

Department of Defense Press Release ^ | 21 January 2003 | SecDef Donald Rumsfeld

[PhiKapMom]

NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense

No. 029-03
(703)697-5131(media)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2003
(703)428-0711(public/industry)

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE STATEMENT ON THE DRAFT

During a recent press briefing at the Pentagon, a reporter asked my views on the old military draft system. Although not eloquently stated, I responded to the question in part as follows:

"If you think back to when we had the draft, people were brought in, they were paid some fraction of what they could make in the civilian manpower market, because they were without choices. Big categories [of people] were exempted-people that were in college, people that were teaching, people that were married . . . And what was left [those who were not exempted] were sucked into the intake, trained for a period of months and then went out, adding no value, no advantage really, to the United States Armed Services over any sustained period of time, because (of) the churning that took place - it took an enormous amount of effort in terms of training and then they were gone."

Again, my statement was not eloquent. A few columnists and others, though, have suggested that those words were intended to mean that draftees added no value to the military. That is not true. I did not say they added no value while they were serving. They added great value. I was commenting on the loss of that value when they left the service. I certainly had no intention of saying what has been reported, or of leaving that impression. Hundreds of thousands of military draftees served over years with great distinction and valor - many being wounded and still others killed.

The last thing I would want to do would be to disparage the service of those draftees. I always have had the highest respect for their service, and I offer my full apology to any veteran who misinterpreted my remarks when I said them, or who may have read any of the articles or columns that have attempted to take my words and suggest they were disparaging.

The intent of my comments was to reflect a view I have held for some time: that we should lengthen tours of duty and careers for our all-volunteer forces, so that these highly trained men and women in uniform can serve in specific assignments longer, and also not be forced to leave the service when they are at the peak of their skills and knowledge.

It is painful for anyone, and certainly a public servant whose words are carried far and wide, to have a comment so unfortunately misinterpreted.

It is particularly troubling for me that there are truly outstanding men and women in uniform or their families -- past and present -- who may believe that the Secretary of Defense would say or mean what some have written. I did not. I would not.

I hope this deeply felt statement reaches those who have served those who are serving, and their families.

[PhiKapMom]

Please see that this gets widespread distribution. These are the facts of what SecDef Rumsfeld said which is in contrast as to what was printed he said.

More of the media spin against this Administration and our military leaders.

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[MonroeDNA]

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[PhiKapMom]

I am already a monthly donor!

[PhiKapMom]

Please see that this gets to any military or civilian you know that has the wrong impression (thanks to the media) of what Sec Def Rumsfeld said.

More of the Let's Set the Record straight today!

Thanks much!

[deport]

And what was left [those who were not exempted] were sucked into the intake, trained for a period of months and then went out, adding no value, no advantage really, to the United States Armed Services over any sustained period of time, because (of) the churning that took place - it took an enormous amount of effort in terms of training and then they were gone."

Sounds like the spin machine was place into high gear to misconstrue what was said..... but then that's the purpose of the spin machine.....

[PhiKapMom]

That's for sure and we had someone come on FR whose brother was injured (I think) in Vietnam tearing Rumsfeld to pieces. Several of us told him that Rumsfeld would never say anything like was quoted by one of the Veterans organizations. Guess we were right!

Beginning to doubt anything the press says someone in this Administration said!

[Carolinamom]

Thanks for the ping. Thank goodness for FR, for it is HERE that I can get news that is analyzed by straight thinkers rather than biased "journalists". I, too, am a monthly donor. 'Best money I've ever spent.

[SunStar]

You should consider sending everyone a FR Private Mail message. That would reach everyone.

[PhiKapMom]

I am with you -- getting really tired of media spin on what someone says. Without FR, we could not reach large numbers of people to get the truth out! I thought the spin was bad but it is getting so much worse! The press seems to be in an all-out war against this Administration to make them look bad!

[mystery-ak]

Monthly donor here too....and I have to add that I love Rummy.

[Steel Wolf]

As I recall from that briefing, Rumsfelds point was about the cost effeciency of draftees versus volunteers. When he said they added 'no value', it was because of the high turnover rates of draftees who in today's military would require months or years of training, only to be let out without 'adding value' to the force.

'Draftees add no value' wasn't even in the past tense or a reference to prior draftees, who were of value. The entire point of that conversation was that CURRENT or FUTURE draftees would not be needed, or cost effecient.

[PhiKapMom]

That's how I took it as well -- then I read the press version of what he said which I thought was 180! I am glad they put out this release telling it like it is!

[MonroeDNA]

You are the backbone here, PhiKapmom! Your monthly donation is sooo appreciated.

Grassroots FR alert!

[MonroeDNA]

"You should consider sending everyone a FR Private Mail message. That would reach everyone."

LOL! Sorry if I get carried away a bit. Not affilliated with the fundraiser in any way, shape, or form.

What i posted is from the heart, nothing more.

[MonroeDNA]

"Monthly donor here too....and I have to add that I love Rummy."

Your backbone support is what makes this place what it is. Thanks so much!

I agree with you; Rummy rules!

[patricia]

THANK YOU for yet another salient post.
IMO, what you have done by posting this response, is what should be done with all mis-news ..... get the article out there for all to see.
Smells like the RATS tried to use their spin-propoganda-machine to do a "Trent Lott" on Rummy. Boy, are the Rats dumb and dumber?!?!?!?

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks! I figured he hadn't said what the press was saying and it turns out that daschle and some other Senators were going after him so they (DoD) put out the press release.

Am so tired of the media and figured this was one way we could fight back on FR to get the truth out!

[timestax]

bump