Big words coming from someone with ZERO days on Active Duty, ZERO family obligations and ZERO civilian career responsibilities.

When I was an ROTC MSI, I hope I wasn't as arrogant as yourself, but I must confess that I knew many who were.

Arrogance? If you insist, but this article has nothing to do with me. As you said, I am a MSI with "ZERO days of Active Duty, ZERO family obligations, and ZERO career responsibilities." All I see is someone who is willing to serve his country, above and beyond the call of your average service. I wish I knew why you felt the need to attack me, perhaps you feel that your experience and my lack of experience gives you the right to make comments like that, though, we don't know do we? You prefered to stay anonymouse.

Chris
Great answer!

Chris,

One thing is for certain, there is NOT enough "true believers" like you or the 70 year old retiree that are willing to die, let alone fight, for this cause. If there were, there would be no stop loss, IRR recalls or retiree recalls.

In the first three months of recruiting year 2005 the Active Army barely reached 50% of its assigned recruiting goal and the Army Reserve didn't even hit 45% of their target.

The Army Reserve is 5,000 Captains short and didn't even reach 1/2 of their OCS goal last year. In other words, we are in trouble!

Obviously there are MORE folks that ultimately share my opinion than yours. If there weren't, we wouldn't be hurting for bodies as badly as we are. Remember, while many of the "armchair generals" have a "Support the Troops" sticker, how many will actually volunteer to serve. How many students at your large university are in ROTC and willing to join in a time of war?

Thae factors I mentioned (family, career, financial, years of experience with the Army) are HUGE considerations for officers and the reality that so many officers are seeking to resign their commissions and can't says something.

You too may be commissioned on a "life sentence" like I, Kevin O'Meara, Ed Quayle and Rob Best are!

What you view as a "noble story" I view as another painful sign that our Army is destroying itself.

I am well aware of the considerations of being an officer. Though I have not experienced them personally, but when I look to my own family and see them, it is just another reason why I have volunteered. You are right, it should be people like me, not people who have done their time, or have those other concerns you listed, but that does not discount the sacrafices made by those who are still willing to serve their country no matter the cost.

A good point in your last comment.

As a compliment, you are displaying a great deal of maturity and foresight simply being involved on a site like this.

You truly are moving forward with "both eyes open." I don't think you will realize just how well this trait will serve you.

So many ROTC cadets and graduates I served with while in college and as an officer on Active Duty either served only as scholarship payback or failed to see what they were "getting involved in."

Hopefully things are changing given world events, but given the way the Army is "packaged" on www.goarmy.com or 1800goguard.com I am not so certain.

Keep up your motivation - As a platoon leader you will find that it's contagious.

^_~,pretty good!

^_~,pretty good!csharpsseeoo

So, where will you be in 40-50 years?ooeess

So, where will you be in 40-50 years?ooeess

So, where will you be in 40-50 years?ooeess

So, where will you be in 40-50 years?ooeess

So, where will you be in 40-50 years?ooeess