[LongWire]

Here is something thats been bugging me for awhile that I will try to clarify.

Ive been in group for 8 yrs now, and I feel that I can expound on something that I think makes SF the great place that it is. Of course understanding that SF used to have the SF baby program, and not taking anything away from those guys.
Todays X-Ray program, has problems, and those withstanding, I'm not sure that the guys signing up today understand, even though they have information right at their fingertips.

When I volunteered, it was a no brianer. I had started off in 2nd Ranger Bn, and then done a couple of yrs in LRRS. I was on levy orders to Drum, and there was no way that I wanted to go there. I had been kicking SF, around for awhile, my Father in law at the time was just retiring out of 1st group as an E8, who had served in every group.

Anyways, when I got to group, I was surrounded by Great Americans, True Patriots.

I'm not so sure, that the current generation signing up truly understand, that commitment. Not to downplay their commitment, especially in a time of war, of course they are welcome and they should be congratulated on their service. I think that a lot, not all, of the guys coming now think its the Cool place to be. As well as the college boys coming to punch their ticket, and get some money job when their initial enlistment is up. Now of course there are exceptions to the rule, but the more I look around, the more I see guys just filling slots, looking for cool kit and whatever else before they punch out for the next Cool thing.

Doubt what I'm saying? Read any obit of any soldier out there right now, 99% of the obits of any straight leg out there and you will read that he had intentions of joining SF and or escorted SF, and or worked with SF........ETC.

When I got here, SF was a place where experienced guys came to supplement with their experience, as well as to gain more. It was a place to go where you could stabilize yourself, and work with guys for years instead of months. It was a true commitment, your Team was everything, no exceptions, no questions.

Now I'm not sure that I can really fault a guy who after a 6 yr initial enlistment, whos served 4 yrs in a group, and fed up with the system, who gets out because some contractor, or other agency is gonna be throwing stacks of cash at him. I'm just not sure thats what SF really needs for the force.

And as far as being the Cool place to be, yeah we get some good gear, missions ETC. I've also done some pretty stupid stuff, as well as standing shoulder to shoulder with SGM's out cutting grass..........how cool is that? Cool that they were out there too, but a real distractor from the other stuff we had going on.

SF is a true commitment, and should be considered as such. This is a place you come to to hone your skills and apply them in real world applications. This is a place where you retire from. SF is not some place to be used as a stepping stone, or some place to "get your kill on" and then leave. We deserve more than that, and I am wondering what the force will look like in another 5 yrs of being watered down from all of the young guys.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that you have alot of other shit to worry about than what the Administration is. I worked through the whole Clinton Administration and there will Always be work. Believe me, with whatever happens on Tuesday, there will be no shortage of work for us in the future. The direction might change but we will still be on the Lead Vehicle.