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The real enemy
Response to the letter "Our Enemies"

I read with growing anger the letter from the National Guard recruiter who considers parents and teachers to be "the enemy." I did not know that loving my children and wanting the best for them makes me an enemy. My children's teachers would be interested to know that they are the enemy as well. I hope and pray that this is not a common attitude among recruiters. They do not have a right to unrestricted access to our kids. Schools are an inappropriate place to recruit. Perhaps this particular recruiter should reevaluate his attitude or find another job. Either way, do not dare call parents and teachers your enemy ever again.

Insurgents or "civilian murderers?"
Response to the news article "Insurgents Kill 30 As Iraqis Crack Down"

An insurgent is a person that revolts against authority in order to fight for their principles. The people referred to in this story are revolting, but they also are killing civilians and innocent people that are not necessarily tied to authority. Don't you think that the proper name for them should be "terrorists" or "civilian murderers"?

The "new Navy" is ridiculous
Response to the news article "Navy Officer, Seven Sailors Disciplined"

This "new Navy" is really ridiculous. Just ask any old timer. What do they do now for a Shellback initiation? Give them a lollypop. The new Navy is seriously lacking in training. For at least four reunions, we toured the Navy school where we served as instructors, and couldn't believe the reduction in training -- from an 18-week school to a four week course. It's taken out that old spirit, making it just a job. Very sad.

Memorial Day should be solemn

I've worked in cemeteries since 1977, and during this time I've seen many Memorial Day services. They used to be very solemn, but that is changing rapidly. In recent years, corporate America has taken over a large portion of the cemeteries, and Memorial Day has just become an excuse for their sales people to try to push burial packages. The icing on the cake was last year when the Canadian corporate-owned cemetery that I worked at had a balloon launch as the grand finale to their service. Balloon launches are festive -- Memorial Day should be solemn. When I mentioned this to my boss I was told that I wasn't being a team player. I wasn't the greatest sailor in the world, but at least I know the difference between what Memorial Day is supposed to represent and what these corporate bozos are turning it into.

This is nonsense!

The military will now take enlistees up to 35 or later, but officers must be 28 years-old. This doesn't make any sense to me, particularly when most people that are gaining their advanced degrees (medicine and law) won't be finished until they are in their late 20's or early 30's. The nature of the professional degrees demands that a person be older when they join (unless they take the route of ROTC). As a 31 year-old, I want to serve my country the best way I can -- because of my skills, it only makes sense for me to be a JAG and not an enlistee. I would be underutilized any other way. This is nonsense!

Dumbest policy ever

Tricare Overseas has the dumbest policy ever. I was once in the military and was still paying for my child's medical bills because he was under "Standard" instead of "Prime," since he was residing in the United States Virgin Islands while I served over in Kuwait. Why is it that the military offers insurance for dependants but still requires you to send extra money to cover them if they fall ill? I came out the service and switched my son to his father's insurance so that he could continue to get medical service. But because we live in the U.S. Virgin Islands, my son has to be under "Standard." If the military would look into these things, then a lot of people wouldn't have to worry while overseas.

Does family matter?

I was a victim of adultery when my husband was deployed. While deployed to Kuwait, my husband who was and still is active duty had an affair with a 2LT, and I'm still suffering the consequences for his actions. I later found out that I had come in contact with an STD that came from my husband. I just had our daughter about three months before, so I know I didn't have it beforehand. Facing this humiliating incident, I notified my chain of command and they started an investigation. Of course, officers protected their own, and my husband got away with not even a slap on the wrist. I have a totally different outlook on the military now, because although they claim that family matters, in all reality, it doesn't.

No-brainer issue

I have under 15 years service, and was offered retirement after my second spine surgery. I retired at my current rank of E-6, with honorable separation authority (AFI-36-3212). When my initial VA rating went through, it was at 20 percent, so I received offset retirement pay. Through time, the VA rating increased, and my retirement decreased, as normal. My service-connected disabilities have continued to deteriorate, and I am now rated by the VA as 100 percent individual unemployable. This is garbage for people in my situation. I am sure there are several thousands who fall in the same category. It's hard to believe this type of no-brainer issue is not being addressed. Everyone in this kind of situation should be eligible for current receipt.

Give us a voice

As part of the tax-paying community, we as retirees should have a strong voice regarding base closings. After all, we did serve our country in need! I am tired of the government pushing us around without giving us a voice.

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