My son turned 18 last Friday. But I really can’t argue against or oppose this legislation.
I grew up in a mixed race working class town where almost every adult male over the age of about 35 served and a stint in the military was considered by almost every kid. For some it was the only way out.
I remember this guy Mike who was a few years older than us joining the Marines. He grew up in a very dysfunctional family and all he ever wanted to do was be a Marine. He joined right out of HS. A couple of years later, he was married to his HS girlfriend, had a nice car and totally had his shit together. I wanted to be like Mike but went to college instead.
My son has grown up in an affluent suburban town. He’s attended one of the best high schools in the country. The military is the last thing on his mind. He’s very bright, articulate and interested in history and cultures. He leans a little left but isn’t left-liberal like me or crazy radical like some of the kids at our church. He’s very nuanced in his thoughts and beliefs. He’s probably going to study Arabic or Farsi in college next year. Thinking about a quick stint in the Army Reserves as a way to prep him for a career in the state or commerce departments or even in business or academia is the last thing on his mind.
Nor I would I want to see him in today’s military. And I would sell everything I own in order to keep him out of ground combat in the Middle East. But I can’t argue against the draft. I can’t ask my reps to vote against it. In fact I wouldn’t mind seeing the draft reinstated. I think we’ve gone too far in asking others to do what we wouldn’t do ourselves.
I’ve suggested to him that he might want to consider serving as an Air Force officer or joining the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve, but I don’t think he’s listening or is even aware of what advantages he has. We live on “the other side” of the main N/S highway in town. When I worked in corporate America I was in the top 20% of income earners nationwide, but in this town we were roughly in the bottom half. And we’ve struggled financially since the divorce and I’m more strict about the budget now. I don’t think he considers us affluent.
I don’t know. I just don’t know.
I think Charley Rangel’s on the money with this one.
Rangel Statement from November on draft equity
