Today’s soldiers are educated
In reference to Bass Trumbo’s letter to the editor in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette dated Jan. 11, 2017, I like his style of writing and usually agree with his comments. However, I do take exception with his one sentence that states, “There are many organizations that do not require a lot of education to become a member such as churches, the armed forces, political parties and street gangs.”
To lump military personnel with the other groups is wrong.
Military recruiting records show that out of 10 graduating seniors, three cannot pass the physical requirements to join, two already have legal problems such as drug abuse, theft, physical violence, etc., and two more can’t pass the academic examination. Wal-Mart has made a wise choice to hire military veterans. The veterans have already been tested and vetted. With today’s highly technical weaponry, military personnel must be smart, trained and well educated. Successful warfare today is not for dummies. The day of rifle butts and bayonets is over.
In most wars of the past, troops lined up with a noman’s-land between them. Front lines with air and artillery support duked it out to see if they could move forward or have to retreat. You knew who the enemy was because he wore a distinctive uniform and had patches on his shoulder to identify which outfit he belonged to.
Today, there are no battle lines and no identifiable battlefield. The enemy may be in local civilian attire and he or she may be a child or a very pretty woman. It takes an educated warrior to sort out who are the bad guys from the good guys.
General and then President Eisenhower realized this was the way wars would be fought in the future and that is why he developed Special Forces. The United States needed a new special kind of soldier that was trained to infiltrate into groups of indigenous personnel. To do this they first had to learn to speak enough of the friendly personnel’s native language to win their trust and support. Having a medic on the Special Forces team to treat the children’s illnesses was one way to garner the parent’s friendship. The goal was to provide the dissidents with supplies and training to fight against and defeat their oppressors. President John F. Kennedy recognized Special Forces as a distinctive group by designating them as “Green Berets.” Being a Green Beret is an education in its self.
All branches of the military today have to train and learn every day. Their own life and the life of others depend on it. Their mission and education is unique and really shouldn’t be lumped in with any other group.
Jim Parsons Bella Vista