| Are American armed forces a collection of volunteers, or, are most, the victims of vouchers? We, as a nation, turn to the poor; the hopeless, to those that feel helpless, and we ask them to join the armed forces in the name of patriotism. Yet, most do not feel particularly patriotic; they do not endorse a war that was instigated on false premises. Few feel loyal to a country that let them down, one that did not provide for all equally.
Many of these disheartened grew up in substandard housing. Millions of them have received a less than adequate education. For some, their race is not treated with respect; for others their religious practice is not honored. Nonetheless, this country asks these individuals to serve. A nation that shows little if any reverence for the disadvantaged wants them to enlist. Knowingly, these men and women refuse. They decline to place their own lives on the line, the frontline. The do not wish to tempt fate and this is why recruiting numbers are down. |
| The youth of American and even those slightly older, those that are now being offered enticements, do not long to be among the hundreds of thousands that leave their homes for a far away place. Life in a land of war is not their preference. Coming back to the States with a chest full of medals does not appeal to them. Numerous have observed, first-hand, that often, a decorated uniform only hides the scars beneath it.
Our less privileged men and women do not wish to return home safely in a body bag. These men and women do not desire a life of doubt or possible death. The poor and less fortunate youth of America do not yearn for a career of misfortune. A flag-draped coffin is not the future they hope for. For the first time, the Army and Marines admit, for the entire year, recruitment objectives were not met.
Yet, there are appearances to be kept. We as a country must allude to patriotism; we must establish a sense of strength. Our citizens must impress upon others that we are a united front. To this end, the Pentagon proselytizes.
Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine recruiters attempt to convince the youth to serve their country; they ask the youthful to join the armed forces voluntarily. However, as the wars linger on, garnering "volunteers" is a struggle.
When recruiters cannot induce induction, cannot entice enlistees, they resort to rewards. The Department of Defense is turning to Congress; asking for further funding. Armed forces wish to offer rewards to those that relent. The military hopes that the dire straits of the poor, the helpless, and the hopeless will work to their advantage. The armed forces are banking on the belief that struggling souls will choose to be victims of vouchers.
Therefore, the armed services are asking Congress to approve as much as $40,000 in bonuses. The current benefit of $20, 000 is no longer enough; $20 thousand can buy a car; but it cannot buy a soldier. The cost of war is great and growing greater; lives are at stake. Perhaps, $50,000 would be better; this amount would help new troops purchase a house. Nevertheless, novice soldiers will pay for this prosperity. To receive these benefits individuals are required to enlist for eight long years. They are obliged to leave their families, to leave their homes, to leave the safety and security that we all covet. These soldiers are required to give their hearts, souls, and possibly, probably their lives to military service.
For the most part, this nation's armed forces are not literally "volunteer"; they are not a group of unpaid helpers. They are a collection of the coerced; cash is the catalyst for their action. The military seeks out those in need and then offers them money, lots, and lots of loot! For hard cash seems to quiet the nerves of the reluctant, or at least it allows a person to forget what they are truly facing.
These poor and hopeless are our strength, our numbers, our soldiers, and our troops and thus, we support them. We buy their patriotism and create a second-class, those that are victims of vouchers.
I offer the thoughts of others and references that document the disparity among our troops.
Army Recruiting More High School Dropouts to Meet Goals, By Eric Schmitt
This is an excellent yet, frightening piece, The Children's Crusade by Jennifer Wedekind, In These Times
Military Families Speak Out About Recruiting Practices; Families Say 'Examine the Real Problem -- Call for A Stand-Down on the War in Iraq |
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