Greenberg: Adapting to the ever-new Army

[BMT (RIP)]

http://www.timesdispatch.com/opinion/their-opinion/columnists-blogs/paul-greenberg/greenberg-adapting-to-the-ever-new-army/article_ca2696c9-3dcb-5cf9-8b92-126b843ab394.html

Or as Gen. Dempsey noted: “When you have one part of the population that is designated as warriors and another part that is designated as something else, I think that disparity begins to establish a psychology….” And it is not a healthy psychology, for it divides rather than unites. And united we stand.

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[Streck-Fu]

Maybe I am misreading but:

But a republic needs citizen-soldiers, too. Without them, democracy is divided between those who defend it and those who are defended.

It is not a healthy division, for the result is a mutual ignorance that leads to mutual estrangement — between those citizens who have known military service and those who haven’t. It is a division no democracy can afford. For the military needs a connection with the citizenry, and the citizenry with its military. Both benefit, and the country benefits most of all.

The Guard and Reserves have often been called the Citizen Soldiers so now do they plan to require everyone to serve? What kind of 'connection' is necessary and how will it be achieved?
Most people in American either have served, had a family member serve, or a friend serve. I don't think there is as much of a disconnect from ignorance of service or why people choose to serve.

Unless he is referring to the certain persuasions that abhor the military based on an ideological opinion (think Code Pink).

[afchic]

Maybe I am misreading but:


The Guard and Reserves have often been called the Citizen Soldiers so now do they plan to require everyone to serve? What kind of 'connection' is necessary and how will it be achieved?
Most people in American either have served, had a family member serve, or a friend serve. I don't think there is as much of a disconnect from ignorance of service or why people choose to serve.Unless he is referring to the certain persuasions that abhor the military based on an ideological opinion (think Code Pink).

I disagree. Less than 1% of the current population serves. Exptrapolate that out to their friends and family and I bet you will find less than 10% of the current population has served, has a family member or friend serving.

When you have that great of a gap between those who have spent the last 12 years of their lives fighting 2 wars, and those that have spent that time only watching it on the news, and shopping at the mall, there may be a disconnect.

There may not be much we can do about it now, but I would hope in the future, if indeed this great nation finds itself in another conflict, the Political Class will expect more of themselves and the rest of our citizens.

[Streck-Fu]

Point taken.

Again, I may not be understand the point but, while it sounds great to have more people serving at some point in their life and tying that service to the community, can we afford to have a much larger military?

Is the General proposing mandatory service?

[Dad]

I have to strongly agree with AFchic. Most Americans couldn't find Afghanistan or Iraq on a map. Furthermore, they have not taken the least amount of time to investigate either war so they could form an independent decision. Despite all the bumper stickers, I don't think most Americans pay a damn bit of attention as long as their children don't have to serve. That has been my experience, anyway.

[afchic]

Point taken.

Again, I may not be understand the point but, while it sounds great to have more people serving at some point in their life and tying that service to the community, can we afford to have a much larger military?

Is the General proposing mandatory service?

I think the General, amazingly enough because I think he is a tool, is trying to get people to understand the divide that exists between the sheep dog and the sheep. As many QPs have pointed out many times before, eventually the sheep begin to despise the sheep dog. I think Gen Dempsey is trying to point out we are closing in on that point, and something needs to be done to reverse course.

There are lots of things we can do, other than growing a larger military that closes the divide between those who serve, and everyone else.

Just off the top of my head, having JROTC in more high schools. Having more kids join CAP.

Additionally, what has the general population given up, in support of our war efforts. Back in WWII, there were gas rations, rubber rations, etc... I am not saying we have to do exactly the same thing, but I am sure some really smart people out there could come up with some ideas to bring the two divides closer together, and yellow magnetic ribbons on cars doesn't count.

[Streck-Fu]

Ok, I'm tracking. Thanks.

[Sigaba]

I think Mr. Greenberg's opinion piece is being misread.

I think he's using GEN Dempsey's comments as a departure point for his own POV about the growing distance between the armed services and civilians.

By my reading, Mr. Greenberg is more interested in raising this issue for discussion than in offering a specific solution--although it does seem to me that he favors some form of UMT.