Steve Wilson's Blog - Posts Tagged "veteran-s-day-2012"
For Our Veterans
Today is the 237th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, an elite branch of the military that I am proud to have been a part of. To all my brother Marines, happy birthday!
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, and I'm extending my appreciation to all our veterans, in each branch, for the service they have rendered to our country. I respect the sacrifices made by the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and the Guard and Reserve forces who safeguard our freedoms.
Unfortunately, more sacrifices are on the horizon. The Department of Defense budget is once more on the chopping block. Sequestration looms, which will trigger even more cuts. $487 billion is scheduled to be removed from the military's operating expenses over the next ten years.
In this generation where we are using far fewer 'bayonets and horses', the men and women of our armed forces are being asked to do more with less. Funding is constricted. Training opportunities are getting a second look. Squadrons have been stood down. And in recent months, I have heard it said that these cuts are in line with the military's wishes, and that the top leadership of our armed forces don't want more funding.
I strongly disagree with that. Leaders who take that position are looking out for themselves. I was never an officer in the Corps, but I have heard it said that young Lieutenants and Captains in the Marines who are more interested in their careers might as well kiss them goodbye. In the Corps, taking care of your people is the first order of business. It's the primary function of leadership.
For an enlisted man like myself, it is probably impolitic to speak so freely, but candor is encouraged in the Marines. "You can always tell a Marine, but you can't tell him much."
My posting today has nothing to do with my writing, but everything to do with my passion for the military, and that is a big part of the reason I write about characters who serve. There will always be ways to economize and be better stewards of military spending, but the current administration is taking things too far. Sadly, we have become a nation of takers, instead of a population willing to serve and sacrifice. The evidence of this can be seen in everyday life. The percentage of active military members in our society is less than 1%. The percentage of veterans at large in America is higher, but still a minority. I'm not saying that everyone should serve in the armed forces; that should flow out of a deeply held sense of commitment. But I do feel that too often, U.S. citizens are all too willing to let 'someone else' take that oath of enlistment.
Take the time to express your thanks to a man or woman serving in uniform. It doesn't have to be showy; in fact, most of our military would probably appreciate a subtle or even anonymous expression of our gratitude. And don't forget, every position in the military has been filled by a volunteer.
Keep reading!
Steve Wilson
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, and I'm extending my appreciation to all our veterans, in each branch, for the service they have rendered to our country. I respect the sacrifices made by the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and the Guard and Reserve forces who safeguard our freedoms.
Unfortunately, more sacrifices are on the horizon. The Department of Defense budget is once more on the chopping block. Sequestration looms, which will trigger even more cuts. $487 billion is scheduled to be removed from the military's operating expenses over the next ten years.
In this generation where we are using far fewer 'bayonets and horses', the men and women of our armed forces are being asked to do more with less. Funding is constricted. Training opportunities are getting a second look. Squadrons have been stood down. And in recent months, I have heard it said that these cuts are in line with the military's wishes, and that the top leadership of our armed forces don't want more funding.
I strongly disagree with that. Leaders who take that position are looking out for themselves. I was never an officer in the Corps, but I have heard it said that young Lieutenants and Captains in the Marines who are more interested in their careers might as well kiss them goodbye. In the Corps, taking care of your people is the first order of business. It's the primary function of leadership.
For an enlisted man like myself, it is probably impolitic to speak so freely, but candor is encouraged in the Marines. "You can always tell a Marine, but you can't tell him much."
My posting today has nothing to do with my writing, but everything to do with my passion for the military, and that is a big part of the reason I write about characters who serve. There will always be ways to economize and be better stewards of military spending, but the current administration is taking things too far. Sadly, we have become a nation of takers, instead of a population willing to serve and sacrifice. The evidence of this can be seen in everyday life. The percentage of active military members in our society is less than 1%. The percentage of veterans at large in America is higher, but still a minority. I'm not saying that everyone should serve in the armed forces; that should flow out of a deeply held sense of commitment. But I do feel that too often, U.S. citizens are all too willing to let 'someone else' take that oath of enlistment.
Take the time to express your thanks to a man or woman serving in uniform. It doesn't have to be showy; in fact, most of our military would probably appreciate a subtle or even anonymous expression of our gratitude. And don't forget, every position in the military has been filled by a volunteer.
Keep reading!
Steve Wilson
