Commentary by Michael Swickard, Ph.D. “Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace.” Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe in 1790
This statement was true in the 1940s. Today we amend it to say “…men and women…” But now those who voluntarily protect us do not always have our country’s best wishes. When I was born in 1950, almost every family had a connection to the just concluded Second World War. My father served in combat for much of the war. He stayed in the service, retiring in 1966 after twenty-five years of service.
Almost everyone of my generation understood our country was free only because of the actions of our military to thwart countries that would enslave us. When citizens of the 1960s questioned the actions of the military in Vietnam, it caused a great chasm in many families. What should have been questioned was the political leadership, not the military.
Currently the military gets lip-service, at best, from Congress and the President. My friend Charlie says, “America is not at War. America is at the Mall. The military is at War.” Consider that less than twenty percent of Congress served in the military. Very few in the Executive Branch have any understanding of our military. From the laughable mispronunciation by the President of “Corps” to the military deaths in Benghazi, our nation no longer affirms what enables our freedom to not appreciate the military are the actions of that very military.
More so, the news of the September 11, 2012 attacks suggest that the executive branch had the ability to send in rescue units but did not do so for political reasons tied to the presidential election. I hope someone comes up with some other reason for this failure of leadership. But it seems the President did not value the men serving in our military enough to make a hard and correct decision to rescue them.
At graduation time last May many people I know did not want the military to recruit their children either in high school or college. They cried, “Let someone else serve.” This ignores two immutable truths. First, while death in the military is catastrophically portrayed, your sons and daughters are safer statistically than if they go to college. More young people are killed in car wrecks than in combat by far. Secondly, the experience of being in the military is very valuable, not just serving in different countries but understanding how to work as a unit.
Example: I was standing at attention in ROTC which was required when I went to college. A major leaned in and asked, “Swickard, how do you plant a flagpole?” I stammered, “Well, you get several people and shovels and…” He cut me off, “No sir. You say, ‘Sergeant, plant that flagpole and call me when you are done.’ You will never be a good officer if you do not learn how to delegate.”
It was a beautiful lesson that has been useful. When it comes to getting things done you must know when to grab a shovel and when to direct someone else. Count it as one of many great lessons I learned while satisfying my ROTC obligation at a Land-Grant university in the late 1960s. Everyone in our country should have to serve in some capacity for the privilege of being an American. This should be both men and women. No, not combat, those should be the citizens who volunteer. But no one should get a free ride on the backs of others.
Thomas Jefferson in 1788 wrote to George Washington, “The power of making war often prevents it, and in our case would give efficacy to our desire of peace.”
Only with a vibrant military can our country live in peace. Only with an appreciative Congress and President can our country have a vibrant military.
Dr. Michael Swickard is co-host of radio talk show News New Mexico 6 to 9 a.m. Monday - Friday on a number of New Mexico radio stations and through streaming. Email: michael@swickard.com
