Military Impact Misrepresented

To the Editor:

I am sending this letter to respond to a letter in last week’s Bee from Jessica Palermo about the military coming to town. Ms Palermo’s letter was an insult to every service member in our armed forces.

Simply put, her letter speaks to a class structure that clearly places the men and women in the armed forces at the very bottom of society in terms of their morals and conduct. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I served 28 years in the Army. I joined in 1968 when most soldiers were drafted. Some were even offered the service as an alternative to jail time by judges trying to sweep society’s problems under the rug. That Army is long gone. Today’s military is an all volunteer force. It is populated with the best and brightest young men and women in our nation. They must be highly educated and continue their education throughout their careers to advance in the ranks. Contemporary weapon systems are complex. Those who operate them must be well trained and intelligent. The modern battlefield is highly fluid and very lethal. Our edge is speed, agility, and technology. But the secret to effective use of these tools is our soldiers; they are professionals. They are also highly responsible citizens, not some miscreant on the fringe of society.

I would like to meet the instructor that told you that the military brings pawn shops and strip bars to town. He or she should be trying to broaden your mind and expand your ability as a critical thinker — one who can form her own opinion after reviewing the facts — instead of instilling his or her stereotypes.

Take a trip to West Point, Stewart Air Force Base, Fort Monmouth, US Submarine Base Groton, Naval Surface Warfare Center, or Naval Weapons Station Earle — all within a two-hour drive. See how many are surrounded with the environment your instructor has described, then form your own opinion.

Certainly some military installations suffer form the pawn shops and strip bars. However every commanding officer can place these establishments “off limits” to his troops. The result is these places close up shop. In fact, commanders are encouraged to take such action. In addition commanders are evaluated on how well they execute the “good neighbor” policy. That policy requires them to meet with local community leaders to make sure the installation they command is not a blight to the community.

The men and women in today’s force are encouraged to become part of the community. They serve as Boy and Girl Scout advisors, they are mentors in schools, and they are members of religious and community organizations.

My family has served in the military for several generations. Three of my five children have served. I have a son who is a career officer in the Army. He has two young children; do you think he and his wife want the environment you have described? I know better.

Our military is charged with defending each and every American. Freedom is not free. I have been where the dying is done and I have seen the price our service members have paid so you can write your letter and your instructor can fill your head with misinformation.

When the time comes to defend this nation I am certain that the dedicated men and women in our armed forces will take time out from the pawn shops and bars to rise to the call once again!

Yours truly,

R.P. Gottmeier

Antler Pine Road, Sandy Hook   February 13, 2006