Children in the military?

[CARLHAYDEN]

Do you mean children as in young children, or children as in non-adults? If a seventeen-year old wishes to serve in the military for example, I would not object.

No. Only those 18+ should be allowed. Otherwise if the draft comes in do you expect someone who hasen't finished school to go to the battleground?

Er, I was in college, and NROTC at 17.

If there had been a declared war, I would have enlisted.

So, what's the problem.

[CARLHAYDEN]

I believe seventeen year olds should be allowed to go into the military, but, should be exempted from the draft.

Do you mean children as in young children, or children as in non-adults? If a seventeen-year old wishes to serve in the military for example, I would not object.

No. Only those 18+ should be allowed. Otherwise if the draft comes in do you expect someone who hasen't finished school to go to the battleground?

Er, I was in college, and NROTC at 17.

If there had been a declared war, I would have enlisted.

So, what's the problem.

Cool, I'm planning to get in NROTC.  What did you do in the Navy?  I want to be a pilot.

Er, the NROTC commissions people in The Corps as well as the Navy (as technically The Corps is part of the Naval Department).

Spent most of my time researching and writing (lessons learned).

Also got 'persuaded' to write (and occasionally) deliver speeches.

Learned to love Navy coffee (up late writing reports, sometimes aboard Navy ships).

Was involved in one firefight as an observer.  Glad they replaced the Cobra.

One of my uncles, who was a Sgt. in The Corps in WWII (he carried a BAR), told me that the lightest 'bar' to carry was a silver one.  Hence, NROTC.

Good luck on becoming an aviator.  Its a very difficult specialization.

[CARLHAYDEN]

I was lucky in that the food served in the officers mess on the ship I was on for a few days was pretty decent.

As your dad can tell you, the Navy has a greater chasm between the treatment of officers and non-officers than The Corps. 

I have strongly counseled my son to go to college and go through the ROTC program (Navy, Army or Air Force, his choice).

I remember how Khadafi really changed his tune when he got the message that Reagan wouldn't put up with his antics (as Carter did).

Tell your dad that there's at least one 'jarhead' who thinks they Navy did a good job.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Throughout recorded history age, young persons have played critical roles in armed conflicts.

How old was David when he slew Goliath?

How old was Alexander when he commanded forces under his father Phillip?

How old was the maid of do re me when she led the French forces?