NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:
I enjoyed reading the special section you published recently entitled “War Stories.” During this reading, I noticed that there were primarily stories from conflicts prior to 1980. As a reader who considered submitting a piece but did not, I hope this is mainly due to an understandable lack of submissions from recent service members rather than a smaller population of participants in modern service coming from our area. This observation, in combination with a recent letter to the editor regarding the replacement of General McChrystal (“Express both sides on McChrystal firing,” dated 4 July 2010) and the audacity of John Mantooth, a self-identified Army lawyer, to wear his uniform in a political campaign ad without a mandated disclaimer, has me doubting the connection of my true home community with my profession of arms.
In response to the letter writer; there has been some ideal of an apolitical Army officer since General George Washington both prevented a military coup and withdrew to civilian life at the completion of the War for Independence. The maintenance of an unwritten detachment from the political process helps the military remain in a position to freely advise on and then act out the orders delivered by the commander-in-chief. The task of all citizens is to elect leaders who will make sound decisions on our behalf. The task of the military is to execute those decisions and the two should never conflict. Regarding Mr. Mantooth and the other political candidates who feel the need to emphasize their military service, I believe that we should carefully examine the true capabilities or experience of anyone willing to put the reputation of this service on the line for political gain.
Today’s military is full of highly intelligent and thoughtful Americans with the same political ideas as all citizens. If you do not know at least a handful of service members that is a shame which I hope can be remedied. In the same manner, our young citizens should be given the opportunity and the encouragement to perform the service begun 234 years ago through defense of our great nation. Please do not allow actual engagement between our soldiers and our civilians to drift away.
JOSHUA GRUBBS
Ft. Bliss, TX
