Posted on 10/20/2004 6:53:06 AM PDT by tame
This is an open letter to President Bush, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Congress, and all freepers.
I need your help. I want to serve in the regular military but I have no military experience, and I'm technically too old by just a few years.
There have been a lot of false rumors from the left regarding a military draft. Whenever I hear these rumors, I find myself thinking "I should should be so lucky to be drafted".
Don't ask me why I didn't join the military when I was younger. It's a long story. But the fact is, I am in my thirties, and I see no reason why I should not be able to serve my country now that we're in a time of war.
I ask all members of Congress, and President Bush to immediately pass and sign into law legislation that would raise the age requirment (for those of us with no previous military experience of any kind) for those of us who want to volunteer to join the regular military during our time of war.
I propose that the age for able bodied volunteers to be able to join the army, for example, should be extended to at least 39 years of age (maybe even older).
There are so many people like myself who would be honored to serve our country during this time of war, but cannot because of an arbitrary rule regarding our age. This is true even though we are still young men and women.
Why should so many reservists who would rather be home be kept in active duty, while there are literally hundreds of thousands of us who would LOVE to replace them?
I ask all Freepers everywhere to contact your local congressman, and the President via mail, fax, phone, etc., to recommend and support this legislation.
There could be appropriate amendments to such a bill to address any concerns regarding possible law suits over possible health risks, etc.
I WANT this. So do many others. Some of my family members want to serve, too, but age is a needless restriction.
I ask Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and other radio talk hosts to give this legislation some legs on your programs.
The left insists on perpetuating rumors of a draft??? Give me a break.
Just send me, Mr. President.
Sincerely, tame. Freerepublic.com
I shot combat pistol at my range in Fresno prior to moving up here east of Sacramento. I miss those outings to the range. I'm with you.....I wished over and over that I stayed in the service. Talk on the threads of Civil War II. I hope I don't live to see that but I'm prepared.
I'm 56 and served four years in the US Air Force (1970-74.) I don't really want to go back, but I am interested in having my wife (53 years old, no prior experience) serve. Her mother is also available and knows everything.
rotflmao!
I would seriously consider waiting till after the election to join the miliitary. If the demoncrats steal this from Bush, I wouldnt serve under Kerry. In fact get ready for the draft if Kerry is elected because many will be getting out and not joining. The whimpy lilly white libs that scream about the draft of course wont be stepping in to help their president, John Kerry.
I am all for returning to a well regulated milita for the defense of the homeland (i.e. Let us old farts work on protecting the homeland, and let the young ones take the fight abroad.) (No offense intended with the old fart comment.)
Yes, I could. With age comes experience (usually).
i agree with you.
i am 55 and still could run circles around many.
with my experience U.S.A.F. medic early 70's
and tons of years in our current work force, we could be used as quarter masters or warehousemen or hundreds of other jobs freeing up younger servicemen and women.
although i can shoot with great accuracy and do not have any moral problem with taking out the enemy.
so put me in coach, i'm ready to play today.
Look at what United States Code says:
TITLE 10, US. Code, Subtitle A, PART I, CHAPTER 13,§ 311
Militia: composition and classes
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b) The classes of the militia are
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.
Now, Title 32 § 313 states:
(a) To be eligible for original enlistment in the National Guard, a person must be at least 17 years of age and under 45, or under 64 years of age and a former member of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps. To be eligible for reenlistment, a person must be under 64 years of age.
(b) To be eligible for appointment as an officer of the National Guard, a person must -
(1) be a citizen of the United States; and
(2) be at least 18 years of age and under 64.
we love your attitude
*wink*
wow.. keep us posted.
Talk on the threads of Civil War II. I hope I don't live to see that but I'm prepared.
Me too.
Old fart describes me well.
Personally, I would have redacted the phone numbers before posting it, but other than that quibble, GOOD LETTER!
Maybe I need to check with other branches USAF is currently not taking former service of all things.
Hey you're an Army recruiter!
Question:
My husband has inquired about joining. He meets the basic reqs, but we have 3 kids, and they want us to sign custody over for at least 2 to grandparents, because of costs. Does that sound right to you?
Thanks for your time.
Uniformed service is not the only way to serve your country.
I happen to be (as Old Sarge knows) both a Reserve Major as well as a DOD contractor. I provided a vital service to the US Army (leading up to and during the war) as a DOD contractor. In many cases, contractors are in the thick of things right smack dab in the middle of the combat zone. getting shot at as well as killed while providing support to the troops.
These functions are just as important as carrying a rifle, or pulling the lanyard on a field piece as they allow a soldier to take the fight to the enemy as opposed to doing paper work or logistics.
People may malign me for being "DOD contractor SCUM", but I know better. We bleed and die just like uniformed troops. We just don't get the recognition - but that's OK. Both the services as well as we know what we do, and how we help.
just a thought for you (tame) to consider.
Every little bit helps.
I have emailed the Whitehouse and others asking for help! Just in the past hour or so.
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