Posted on 09/29/2004 7:41:48 AM PDT by Old Sarge
Dear FRiends:
Many of you who inhabit this virtual home of ours, know me by reputation, and a few personally. I am so proud to be counted among your ranks, and numbered among your company. We laugh, we cheer, we argue, we fight, we weep, we support, and we live, all in this place we call home. And all who do know me, know that my greatest wish is to serve this nation of ours in uniform.
That opportunity has arisen once again, as I return to Active Duty once more. This time, though, the mission is something unique to my experience, something I have never done in twenty-plus years of Active, Reserve and National Guard service. For as of next month, I shall become… a Recruiter.
Yes, you heard it. I shall shortly become one of those intrepid souls who venture out into the countryside, into the schools, the marketplaces, the state and county fairs, and anywhere else that citizens gather, to bring to them the virtues and distinctiveness of military life.
Now, I am going to confess something, here. I know that I shall be bringing to the job a very unique set of skills and experiences. I know that usually the older recruiters have an advantage over younger troops in the job, because they’ve seen and done so much more. That would be true, if this were a parallel universe.
This is a nation at war. A war that is not only on the battlefields, but also in the minds and hearts of its’ own citizens. Young folks today are technologically savvy, have better access to more data, and their innate distrust of adults has been hardened by focus-group-tested ads. In short, I shall be playing to a very hostile audience, which has been fed the bitter food of a poisoned ideology.
And this is where you, each of you, come in. As I begin this mission, I am recognizing that I must be better informed than anyone else, more than ever before, about more issues than I gave myself time to consider. And there is no better place to find these things, as I tell my soldiers who ask me, than Free Republic.
I need links, Web pages, facts and evidence, for the questions and sound bites that will be cast upon me. Young people have issues that matter to them: jobs, education, the “draft”, to name a few. I don’t doubt there are others; I need those, as well.
So, consider this an open appeal to my Pajama Patriot comrades. Help me to prepare for these upcoming debates. Arm me with fact and truth. Equip me with the data, debunked or confirmed, to do one sincere thing: to help me articulate what I might not otherwise say clearly, that their nation, this mightiest and best of nations, is worth their support and their service, and that there is no more honorable and noble title than United States Service Member.
Vigilantly Yours,
OLD SARGE
Geeez!....I thought it would be much higher.......btw...over the years Mike has gone in with a few potential recruits, at their request, (friends of the family) to listen to the recruiter and read over enlistment papers before signing.....but, this was in the days of high monthly quotas and *some* recruiters were not always truthfull......I think your greatest obstacles will be the mothers...LOL.....good luck, Sarge!
Well Congratulations!
I know that the men who recruited my brothers (decades ago) are still spoke of fondly. Both men impacted my brothers uniquely and in a manner few men ever had (my parents were divorced and my father very busy). It took my younger brother several tries before he weighed enough to get in, and he still laughs about his recruiter buying him 5lbs of Bananas and taking him out for a steak dinner just before weighing in. =) This brother is now in the Army reserves out of the Bangor, Maine area. He was a boy into mischief who became a very good man and a very good citizen in a huge part because this man, his recruiter took such an interest in him.
Both of these men were honest with my brothers, and with my mother. I really think that's the most important issue but also, showing an unique interest in the young men and women who come to you...can't hurt a bit.
What area are you working out of? I think that also influences how you respond to kids.
A question for you, both of my boys were homeschooled. My younger son (just turned 18) has been semi-interested in the military, In fact he's spent a few days here and there training with my brothers reserves. He's also been invited to go spend a day with the....can't remember what they are called, sharpshooters or something (army) but as he was homeschooled I understand there may be issues with him actually being recruited. The other issue is that I had pulled him out of school to homeschool him due to his ADHD and he was on ritilin at the time, he's not taken it for over 8 years now, but I understand that his having taken it and never having attended a school since then to prove his capability to function with out it might disallow him from being recruited. I think you may run into a lot of kids who are on ritilin, how do you deal with that? is there a work around?
Thank you.
Sarge...good luck with your new commission.
Best wishes and God bless!
Well I'm 35 years + 5745 days. The extra experience should count for something. I am very proficient with many types of weapons and I am an excellent single engine pilot.
I'll work for coffee and cigarettes. I don't eat much and I still know how to make hospital corners on a bed.
Help me to prepare for these upcoming debates. Arm me with fact and truth.
Equip me with the data, debunked or confirmed, to do one sincere thing: to help me articulate what I might not otherwise say clearly, that their nation, this mightiest and best of nations, is worth their support and their service, and that there is no more honorable and noble title than United States Service Member.
______________________________________
Sarge, the best source of facts & data you can find is our Constitution itself.
You can get Cato's 'Pocket Constitution' for a dollar apiece in bulk. Hellof a book at a hellof a price.
Call 1-800-767-1241
The Cato Institute - Online Bookstore: Product Details
Address:http://www.catostore.org/index.asp?fa=ProductDetails&method=cats&scid=15&pid=144278-A
Good luck, Old Sarge.
Thanks for the plug snopercod. :-)
Thanks and good luck !!! :^D
"'Cause you don't want to grow up to be another Clay Aikmen."
If Bush gets re-elected, your job should be easy. People will gladly volunteer to serve under a man who respects the military and loves his country. But if Kerry gets elected, I am convinced the only way we will be able to keep our troop level up is to reinstate the draft. Few, if any, loyal citizens would voluntarily put themselves under the leadership of a traitor.
Oh, Thank you! I as stroke..........:(
BUSH 04'
Sheila
Hooah!! In your hands lies the future of our nation!! :o)
"This is a nation at war. A war that is not only on the battlefields, but also in the minds and hearts of its’ own citizens."
VERY WELL said.
I'll be praying for your success. And specifically, that your Commander In Chief will continue to be President Bush.
And do not Promise the potential Recruits the "LifeTime Medical Care" you and I were promised.
I first enlisted 56 years ago this Saturday: October 2, 1948.
Buddy B
Good luck. I still remember my recruiter, one lives down the street from me.
Don't forget that old 1911 colt 45!!! you may need it.
Did you ever have to go into one? Thank Mr. Reagan. Now keep in mind those were for when you got warning of an inbound attack, you had about 30 minutes get to one. Terrorist do not give warnings.......... Do you have kids? Are you old enough to remember "duck and cover" Let me show you a film....... In any case, good luck and keep the family posted.
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