[ Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Army Aviation Officer
Date: 01 Jun 2001
Time: 12:18:13
Understood. I challenge you to find in my commentary exactly where I said (or implied for that matter) that a hat would fix the military. The beret, while not a solution, is a step in the right direction, and may be a bigger part of the solution than you realize. As for recruiting, we have met our recruitment and retention goals the last two years. I would submit to you that the problem is in quality and not quantity (you alluded to that fact in your commentary).
The fact that I am an Aviator has no bearing on my perception of the beret. But, since you seem determined to address the issue, I will comply.
I have a hard time understanding that someone with that much experience would think that life in the commercial aviation sector is so great. You must know the real nature of commercial aviation. You said I "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." The fact, sir, is that while a mechanic can walk right out of the military into a well-paying job fixing aircraft, it is much more difficult for a pilot. With the exception of those who have accumulated massive amounts of hours in particular types of aircraft (similar to airliners), most pilots have to start from the bottom, making less than $20,000 per year and working their way up, accumulating hours along the way.
Even if other people think "pilots are cool" doesn't make easier the fact that they spend more than half thier time away from home, the pay stinks for the first 5 years, and the instability of the industry makes job security a real concern. Commercial aviators pay their dues in one way or another. They don't just wave a magic wand and become the captain of a 747 making six figures.
Furthermore, I was never the sharpest knife in the drawer. There are people who fix my "contraptions" that have far more natural talent and intelligence than me. They simply chose a different path, although it was well within their reach to do what I did. Everyone has environmental factors that challenge them in one way or another, but in the end we find that most people can attribuite (or blame) their status in life to their own decsions.
I see that your experience is in the Air Force, where fighter pilots are God and the rest worship the holy alter of rated aviators. Things are a bit different over here on the Army side. I would consider carefully whether you really know anything about ARMY AVIATION or the Army in general before you presume to know what is and is not needed.
While I whole-heartedly agree with you that major changes need to be made within the military, that is no excuse to acknowlege our leaders when they do the right thing. Although I acknowlege your age and experience, I am the one on the ground here with the troops. I see and speak with my soldiers everyday. I don't know about the Air Force (nor to I presume to), but I know what the Army needs. GEN Shinseki knows what the Army needs. We just need to convince some of the Officers in between, as well as some bureacrats. If you think I am spouting the "party line", let me tell you I thought our previous Chief was a coward--and I said as much.
It's funny that when I criticize the Army, I am accused of being disloyal (believe me that's happened to me-I was relieved temporarily). When I praise the Army, I am accused of being a conformist and a careerist. I guess if I am making both sides mad, I must be doing something right. Nothing stings as bad as the truth you don't want to hear. Some leaders in the Army don't want to hear the truth of what's wrong. Others don't want to hear the truth of what's right. In either case, the truth needs to be told.