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:A PROUD FATHER
At 2:30 PM EST, Friday, February 23rd, my youngest son recited his reenlistment oath to serve his country for another four years. He was on duty at the time, but was relieved by a fellow Airman so that he could have the oath administered, and a few pictures taken. He then went back to his job, and finished his scheduled assignment.
When reciting this oath, he swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. He swore to bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and obey the orders of the President and his appointed officers, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
His decision made, and his commitment sworn to before God and man, he will remain with that small segment of our population who have voluntarily chosen to put aside the tranquility of civilian life to defend the very document that was created to insure that tranquility. As a college graduate with numerous skills and practical experience, he will use his talents and knowledge to help insure that we can continue to enjoy the blessings of being Americans. He has chosen to give a portion of his life to service, benefiting and protecting millions of others, rather than benefiting his own well being, prosperity and safety.
To say that I am proud of this young man is a gross understatement. I know his character, his ideals, his goals and his reasons for joining the military. His intelligence, generosity, loyalty and ethics are also well known to me. Yet, I cannot but stand in awe of his dedication in following the path he has chosen. Along with those other men and women of honor who have made the decision to serve our Nation, he represents the true ideal of the citizen soldier. These men and women were not coerced, cajoled, intimidated, drafted, bribed, enticed or fooled into taking on the task of protecting and defending our way of life. They have taken this oath freely, knowing the tasks they will be given, and with a clear understanding of the risks inherent with their decision.
The military of today is much different from that of my generation. They are better trained, better equipped, better led and better educated than at any time in our history. They have proven their ability to successfully carry out complicated orders under impossible conditions, while maintaining a level of humanity and honor that is unprecedented in world history.
When we look at the oath they have taken, we should take note of what it says, and consider what it does not say. They swear to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, not just one state or region. They have sworn to protect and defend all citizens who live under the ideals set forth in the Constitution, not just one specific religion, color, race or sex. They have sworn to obey the orders of the President, and duly appointed officers, within the rules outlined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Not a Democratic or Republican President, nor a conservative or liberal President, male or female, or certain color or religion. In other words, they have sworn to be Americans, first and foremost. Any other designation is transparent to them, as it should be to us all.
There will be those who say that I have idealized our military men and women. Perhaps I have, but I can only judge by the many I know who serve, or have served, in these difficult times. Without exception, they have been intelligent, honest, brave, dedicated and honorable in their motives and actions. That they have chosen this course in their lives is testament to the vision we should all have of the citizen soldier, for they represent all that is good in America. I am proud of my son, and all of the men and women with whom he serves. They are indeed our best and brightest, for they understand better than most what being an American is all about. While a simple Thank You seems woefully inadequate, if said from the heart, it still says it best.
This father should be proud. military service is a noble and honorable calling.
I deeply admire anyone who choses to serve their country in harm's way...
I wholeheartedly agree. I also agree with his take on the current forces, as far as education, equipment, etc. The mistakes that were made have been made right, it's time to stop the slamming on that front.
I know, but Hillary just posted a video saying the troops were under supplied. Not true.
I am not entirely sure it is untrue... and really... neither are you.
First off I served for 13 years on two of the oldest ships in the Navy at that time. We were better off than the Russians were during the same time frame with regards to quality of life. Our pay was low but I lived off it and had fun in the process. I was in several parts of the world that had issues and we went to support the mission and it wasn't up to us to dispute openly the agenda. We did our jobs everyday even if it meant a few hours of sleep, no milk to drink, no mail from home for weeks at a time and certainly no emails or cell phones. I admire these troops because they are following the steps of our countrymen and we've also come a long way in many of our abilities to do the job at hand.
Now right now if it were a different President Im sure wed be complaining about there agenda or what they got us into this time. Having said that Id like to see everyone in office and private civilians just support these troops because they arent blind and they can feel the resentment over these actions. Im glad our forces are voluntary because you have better troops with better attitudes doing the job.
This story was a lot more than politics but more about the sacrifices this individual made so they could continue there career in the armed services many have no clue what that would be like and I can assure you this individual understands it.
If I recall Reagan was the 600 ship Navy man, and WJC out right made it clear more with less, kind of like don't ask don't tell the legal way back then. Well the newer ships being constructed are well over half the crew required and the rest will be automated to relieve the duties of the crew. But these crewmemeber will have to be smarter and more skilled than any sailor before. I was just a white hat doing time and again I'm glad I had the opportunities I did, who knows I feel confident I'd made 8 before I would have retired last year, but I don't miss it.
I was on the Midway so I know and remember all about op tempo. That ship out lasted every forward deployed carrier sent to Japan since 1992. Haze grey and undeway was our life!
Supply guy???I don't think they have optars anymore? I work for DON and I'll have to ask some of the supply guys I know if they still cal them optars or by another name...
I was not a supply guy...I was a line officer and we all had OPTAR budgets that we had to manage. I have no idea what they are called now...O&M is what civilian industry refers to them as.... but I do know that they never increased by any substantial amount no matter who was in the white house.
There was a brief period when I was stationed at NAS Alameda that we'd get a credit card and then we could like open purchase supplies from serv~mart but that was short lived. Made it a lot easier than having to fill out 1348-1 for every item.
So did you do any tours at the Penagon? I mean you were in a long time I reckon you had to drive a big desk up town right?
