HBO Executive enlisted -Astan

[perdurabo]

Originally Posted by PSM

Close, but I'm pretty sure it has to have a Victoria's Secret to officially be called a "mall".

Pat

There's an antique clothing store down Oregon Ave a ways from the tire store I think Bill is talking about. They might have some (moldy) hoighty-toighties in there!

If that isn't your thing, you could grab some chinese food from the gas-station-turned-chinese restaurant in the other direction.

[Pete]

He's a SP4 - may make SGT some day if he plays his cards right.

My uncle Frank joined the armed forces towards to the end of WWII. He first wanted to finish Law School before he accepted a commission in the US Navy. Upon his commission, he volunteered for Airborne training and infantry training with the US Army, as he was taking an appointed with the OSS and a duty assignment in the Far East. He had lived in Japan as a child learning the language. One would think, a perfect candidate for a long successful career of service, right?

But he told me years later, he knew the war would not have lasted forever, enjoyed the benefit of staying out of the fight for most of the conflict, and showed up at the moment when he was needed. He had connections with several Washington families with influence, knew that serving was necessary, but also recognized that he could continue with a successful career after his time was finished. After WWII he took a position in a DC law firm, then returned to uniformed service during Korea. My uncle was the type who took advantage of every opportunity, sometimes for his country, family, but most frequently, for himself. I never thought him a selfish person, in fact, he had a very generous heart, provided for a family during the depression, his mother, younger brothers and sisters, and several half-siblings. His father passing while he was in HS, and took two jobs to make it happen, and Law School on scholarship.

Many have served, some more visible than others, most living lives of obscurity.

As another has already stated, this is a "non-story". I would add, either serve or don't serve. If you do, do it well, if not, support those who suit up, don't critize those in uniform, but work to elect leaders who have proven records.

[NoRoadtrippin]

I disagree with finding fault with this guy. Some of the comments made by others interviewed as part of the story are rather ridiculous. Such as Don King's implication that a "dream job" is of more value than freedom.

Are there lots of farm boys and young studs from the block out there signing up each day without any credit? Yes. And good for them. They often are pulling themselves out of a life with limited opportunity and opening a door to places and opportunity untold. For 250 years, our military has offered that chance and there's no shame in signing up for that reason. Some of them are also doing it because they feel called to serve. Even better.

But along with opportunity and a chance for a better lot in life, our military also used to hold another draw. It used to be that, rather than being able to avoid service based on your socioeconomic status, a young, healthy American male was expected to recognize a greater obligation in relation to the greater benefit the freedoms and opportunity this country had offered him. There was a time that public service was expected in proportion to your own wealth and status, and it was a positive relation, not an inverse one.

As we have lost that sense of obligation the upper echelons of our society have lost a connection to the military, and I think we can all agree that is not a good thing. There is a disconnect between the Soldiers in uniform and the people who ought to be supporting them at home. As others put it, the military is at war and the people are at the mall. So how do we solve this? Draft? No. Education? Maybe.

So, what about those commentators mentioned above? What about his bosses who were worried about his choice? If he comes home, says "This is what I experienced, and man let me tell you why the military changed my life for the positive." Or if he talks about how vital it was to know people at home backed him up or understood why he went, then his service is a force multiplier for the long term relationship between our country's Soldiers and the people we go to war on behalf of.

Did this guy need or even deserve a news story just because he joined up? No, he didn't. But just because he got one doesn't somehow besmirch the fact that he signed up. This guy joined in spite of not having any of the "needs" that young 18 year old on the farm or in the 'hood might have. He did it when a sense of duty or obligation could be the only possible reason. Good on him. If it serves as a catalyst for even one rich, liberal hippie to change their mind and gain some perspective themselves then I say let them write all the stories they want.

[The Reaper]

Why was this not the reaction when Pat Tillman joined?

TR

[LongWire]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Why was this not the reaction when Pat Tillman joined?

TR

I followed the Tillman story from day 1. I don't quite remember the initial reactions to it, but I believe that alot of the reactions were similar. "He did what?"

I said good on him at the time.....Fast forward when I found out that he was going to 2nd Ranger Bn., I said hell Yes, that being my first unit.

I was jazzed for the guy. I know they checked in on him and his brother from time to time, but I know that Pat himself didn't want a whole lot made out of it, and with respect for his wishes most of the media complied.

When he died, it became quite a different story altogether...........

I'm always surprised to see how the press treats the process of how some enlist. Good on SP4 Barragan and Godspeed, Im glad to see that he joined the Infantry with his eyes open. Best of Luck.....

[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by NoRoadtrippin

It used to be that, rather than being able to avoid service based on your socioeconomic status, a young, healthy American male was expected to recognize a greater obligation in relation to the greater benefit the freedoms and opportunity this country had offered him. There was a time that public service was expected in proportion to your own wealth and status, and it was a positive relation, not an inverse one.

We're talking about America, right? When was that exactly?

[Utah Bob]

What he was and what he did are now meaningless.
He marched to one drummer and now will march to another.
Time will tell.

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

What he was and what he did are now meaningless.
He marched to one drummer and now will march to another.
Time will tell.

Very well put...and enough for me to hold all comments for awhile.

[koz]

I think it's a cool story. There are a lot of people who view the enlisted military as less than equals. Many people believe that we enlist because we can't find any other job or that's the best we can do.

For a guy who had no incentive to join other than his own personal will to serve is pretty impressive. If he just wanted to wear a green "suit," he could have gone the JAG route or gone to some PAO office but he chose to enlist.

Good on him.

[NoRoadtrippin]

Originally Posted by Dozer523

We're talking about America, right? When was that exactly?

That, exactly, was not more than 50-60 years ago. For a longer explanation, I encourage you to check out a book I was assigned as an MS4 cadet. The private, rather expensive and left-leaning school that I attended ROTC at was filled primarily by exactly the type of people the book discusses. Its a good read and was a conversation starter for us.

http://www.frankschaeffer.net/awol.html

You can get the whole story from the book, but here's a telling excerpt from the intro on the above site:

That [the authors] stories are rare is a recent phenomenon. In 1956, 400 of Princeton's 750 graduates served in uniform. By 2004, only nine members of the university's graduating class entered the military. Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia and many other schools do not even allow ROTC on their campuses. The gulf is growing in Congress, too. In 1971, three-quarters of our representatives had military experience. Now, fewer than a third do, and that number drops with each passing year. Some citizens see no problem with this. We are indeed fortunate not to live in a militarized society, and our hyper-capable armed forces enjoy, at least superficially, broad support from the American people.

Those stats, and the resulting disconnect between us and the larger citizenry are important to note as concern about the direction of our country and the use of its military continues to grow.

[NoRoadtrippin]

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

What he was and what he did are now meaningless.
He marched to one drummer and now will march to another.
Time will tell.

With respect sir, I ask...really? Do you truly think that your upbringing, skills learned, morals imparted, opportunities and experiences had or not had were all meaningless the day you arrived at basic?

If you mean this in the sense that "what he was and what he did" should in no way offer him any additional advantage or coddling in the military then I am in agreement. Each new Soldier should be treated with the same respect (or lack thereof) as any other regardless of whether or not they were dropped off in a new Mercedes or beat up pickup.

Again, I am not arguing that this guy deserves or warrants a story just because he was rich and had a good job. However, I can't see how our previous lives and everything they did to form who we are all the sudden becomes meaningless just because we join the military. Will the military alter him in its own way? Well, of course. And yes, he will learn to march to a different drum, or drill sergeant, on this new path he's chosen, but no person's past becomes instantly "meaningless" when they join the Army.

[Richard]

In 1956, 400 of Princeton's 750 graduates served in uniform.

Not much going on then and serving in uniform (especially as an Officer in the NG or Reserves) was (like joining the right fraternity) considered a way to connect with the right people as a means of career and social enhancement. I wonder what the stats were for the Class of 1966?

How I yearn for those Civil War days when you could hire a recent immigrant or indigent to take your place in the draft and fulfill your family's sense of noblesse oblige. Ah, those good ol' days.

Richard

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by NoRoadtrippin

With respect sir, I ask...really? Do you truly think that your upbringing, skills learned, morals imparted, opportunities and experiences had or not had were all meaningless the day you arrived at basic?

I don't think that was the point at all. Was your upbringing rendered moot?

Originally Posted by NoRoadtrippin

Will the military alter him in its own way? Well, of course. And yes, he will learn to march to a different drum, or drill sergeant, on this new path he's chosen, but no person's past becomes instantly "meaningless" when they join the Army.

And yet....

Originally Posted by NoRoadtrippin

The private, rather expensive and left-leaning school that I attended ROTC at was filled primarily by exactly the type of people the book discusses.

You felt compelled to tell us about your rather expensive, left leaning college that you attended for four years.

[Tress]

I agree with those that feel that this is pretty much a non-story as long as his motivations are true and he has no ulterior motives.

Imagine the ground swell in this forum and others though if it was found out that he initiated the news story or even worse, the whole thing turned out to be an HBO special in the making. Cameras following him around through basic, AIT, overseas deployments, etc.

Keep in mind that he is an exec at HBO. I am not saying that this is in any way true, but you have to wonder.