Volume 27, Issue 5, September 9, 2004

Opinion

Military service a requirement?

Heather Wahle
Columnist

To run the United States, one must undisputedly be a leader. How important is it that the leader of our country be an awarded military hero? If the candidate had serious doubts on the justification of the war, would you rather they speak out, or stifle any feelings whatsoever for the sake of good press? Does military experience guarantee leadership in the White House?

Recently, John Kerry’s military history has received massive public attention and intense scrutiny. Kerry served in the Vietnam War as a member of the Navy. Mr. Kerry volunteered to be stationed in Vietnam and was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts for his injuries inflicted during wartime. After his service, Kerry also protested against the war and spoke of the horrors he faced while fighting overseas.

Many refer to Kerry’s protest of the Vietnam War as “un-American.”

If anything, taking responsibility for our actions in foreign policy is American. If it offended you to hear the young Kerry’s descriptions of what was going on overseas during the Vietnam War, try to imagine how experiencing them firsthand at the time would affect you.

The validity of these purple hearts is also what is often scrutinized. I sympathize with veterans that feel that their courageous acts were unnoticed. It is likely that Kerry, as some more affluent members of the military, has received more attention than other veterans. Refocus and examine the facts as medals aren’t the only thing in question here.

Kerry led the Vietnam Veterans Against the War coalition and appealed to Congress about his experiences while serving. Although John Kerry protested the war and had doubts about the war, he did not take serving his country lightly. Instead of fleeing the draft, Kerry enlisted. Instead of taking a plush office job or dropping out of general duty, he served on the front line. Not only did he serve, he led bravely, rescuing a Green Beret and getting wounded on numerous occasions.

There have been many war heroes who have served the country valiantly and have gone unnoticed. Maybe they deserved Purple Hearts, yet never received them. I’m sorry for all those veterans who feel cheated from proper recognition—but please don’t cheat yourself into voting against a presidential candidate simply because they were brave, but not as brave as you in the war, and they stole that damn medal from you.

In all fairness, give equal attention to President George W. Bush’s military career. Bush enlisted into the Air National Guard and received his wings in June of 1970. He committed to giving the necessary time, training, and active duty until 1974.

Taxpayers funded several hundred thousands of dollars to train Bush to fly for the military. Throughout the four years of service he was accredited to 68 days of active duty. It is hard to determine how many of those days where spent actually flying.

In fact, when Bush was working to defend the country during the Vietnam War he was working stateside in a postal branch, non-plane facility. He did not meet the time commitment he promised to the Guard while employed at the post office. Young George W. Bush logged an entire 12 months from May 1, 1972 to April 30, 1973 without serving a single day at the office working for the Guard.

Commanding officers falsified records as to when he was fulfilling his duties and ignored the fact that he never attended drill. In actuality, Bush was working on campaigns in Washington and other such non-military related duties.

Many feel military experience is needed in order to be the President of the United States. Wartime in particular, is a time in which a fast decision making process and expertise in leadership while serving the country could prove useful. However, is it particularly essential? Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln lead the country with skill at wartime without the military on their resumes.

Political muck-raking is often hard to ignore. For example, George W. Bush’s Web site has, on its home page, attacks on Kerry’s military history. I propose that presidential candidates focus more attention on policies and reform than eliminating the competition.

When following this campaign, I suggest that the military history of the candidates not be at the forefront of the decision-making process.

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