After spending months denying that there was any shortage of troops in Iraq, (see previous TMI article) the Bush Administration is willing to admit that there is, indeed, a shortage. Now that everyone is in agreement on this basic point, what can be done about it?
The problem is further compounded by the fact that the troop shortage isn't just in Iraq, but in the entire US Armed Forces. There has been talk of reducing our current commitments in Bosnia and elsewhere around the world. Unfortunately, any scenario that calls for a reduction in troops elsewhere, would also create additional problems. I have a better idea.
Instead of making the conventional Army bigger or relying on the traditional reserve and guard forces, let's make it easier for regular people to serve in the armed forces for a limited time and in a limited capacity.
As an example, I'm almost 40 years old. When I graduated from high school in 1982, I was under the general perception that the only people who would join the military were those who wouldn't be going to college or those who couldn't find a job. Since that time, joining the military as a career as become much more accepted. As a result, there is a large pool of people in their 30's and 40's who I believe would be willing to consider some type of military service.
Unfortunately, the traditional military views these people as too old. The reality is that a 30 or 40 year old in decent physical shape is capable of serving in the armed forces, despite the fact that they didn't enlist at the tender age of 18. Furthermore, a 30 or 40 year old is likely to be more emotionally mature and stable than an 18 or 20 year old.
Current barriers for a typical 30-40 year old serving in the military are as follows:
These barriers are not insurmountable.
Congress could pass a law requiring employers to allow those who serve in the military for a limited term to continue to hold their jobs as well as pay them. A special term of military service could be initiated that would last for a total of 9 months; 1-3 months for training and 6-8 months of active duty. The training for service of this type could be specially suited to whatever assignment they are on; those who come from a management background could be placed in leadership positions, those with engineering degrees could be placed in an engineering assignment, etc. These soldiers would be distinct from "Career Soldiers" and would only serve for a limited duration. They would then re-join their employers and go on with their lives with the knowledge that they had served their country in a time of need.
Many Americans have a desire to serve their country in a tangible way. The real question is, Does their country really want them to serve and is it willing to make that service a reality?
Note: It's October 24th, 2003 and I'm surfing around the internet. I find an article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution dated Sept 19, 2003. I wrote my article on the 22nd of September and I didn't get the idea from this guy (really). This article says basically the same thing I said. Apparently, at least one other person thinks this isn't such a goofy idea.
Posted by jdmays at September 22, 2003 09:35 PM