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From: David L. Baker
Date: 20 May 2001
Time: 03:23:00
If you tend to gloss over systemic problems in the military, you will be promoted with the rest of those wearing rose-colored flight sunglasses. You might indicate whether nepotism played any part in you gaining your wings, or you might acknowledge the small fact that aviators enjoy a much higher prestige (and pay) in public life than the grunts who fix your flying contraptions. I've heard speeches just like yours for so many years, it seems someone should post a change in the "Manual of Propaganda", at least so old soldiers like myself can detect progress in that department. Many challenges face the military as economic incentives tend to draw the most qualified people into the private sector. Very few young people are as "gung-ho" as you sound about military employment. As much as you don't want to face the facts, you might as well know that, along with deep seated resentment of female double standards in training and promotion (Have they updated the blurb about that one in the manual yet?) and a general consensus that military enlistment constitutes a last resort for employment among the vast majority of eligible civilians, no one has any desire to be under the authority of a control freak, brownnosing sergeant or officer within a military environment. Nor do they feel compelled to be the rube assigned to repair the planes that assuage your ego. (Or to be forced to lie about maintenance to make substandard weapons look better to the bean counters) I agree wholeheartedly that beanies won't fix that sordid mess formerly known as the United States Military.