Politics, the military, and my future.

[rockymountaindem]

I've been giving this a lot of thought lately.

I would have absolutely no problem serving this country in a time of need. I would lay my life down for America if I had to without a second thought. However, I don't think that I would fit in the military culture/system. The only way I would really want to become a part of the military was if it was really necessary (like WWII or the Civil War or if I were drafted during Vietnam).

I would like to run for office someday (House, Senate, Secretary of State). It seems to me with all the talk of war, Kerry vs. Bush/Chickenhawks, etc. that for me to be elected in the future I have to serve in the military. Again, I'd like to serve my country, just not in some dull peacetime job.

There is one exception; I think it would be really cool to serve as an intelligence analyst in the reserves while working in some similar capacity at the State Dept. I hope to have my PhD by the time I'm 23 (I'm 17 and a second-semester freshman in college now). After that I could either apply for a direct commission or go to OCS. I feel like intelligence would be a place where I could make a contribution (that's not to say I'm too cowardly to fight on the battlefield). Once again, a problem arises. People respect Kerry's military service because he killed people and risked being killed himself. Certainly nobody can deny that he served our country bravely and deserves to be commended. I'm worried that even if I serve as a reserve analyst for decades the voters will still say, "well, it's just a desk job. It's not like he did anything hard". I have the utmost respect for veterans so that's kind of making me feel like I have to become one myself.

So, my question is...

Is my view on the necessity of military service incorrect? Do I really need to be in the military as a prerequisite to credibility in public life? Furthermore, do I need to kill the enemy/be wounded/lose body parts to get respect?

Thanks for taking some time to help me map out my future!

[Qanisqineq]

1. Have you thought about

ROTC during college?

[rockymountaindem]

2. Yeah, I did a little.

But I'd rather get all of my education out of the way first and then join up. I think that getting my bachelor's degrees and then taking time away from my studies in the military would be really hard. Furthermore, I'm up here at University of Toronto planning for my career as a diplomat by learning how other countries view the US (ok, I know it's just Canada, but going to school in Europe would have been a giant pain), unless I want to join the Canadian military, ROTC is out of the quesion.

[TacticalPeek]

4. Good suggestion.

And while military service would be a feather in the cap, it is certainly not a sine qua non.

Incidentally, if intel is your target, you may want to see if there is a way to get a sort of 'pre-clearance' before signing any contracts. Just a thought.

[MichaelHarris]

3. See the Canadian Rockies

In my day that was my plan. But seriously have you thought about college and an advanced degree say in politics? The Kennedys surrounded themselves with some of the smartest people around at the time. Some of the best minds in politics never served and being in school will get you a safe number in the draft we'll get if bush is reelected.

[rockymountaindem]

5. I'm double majoring in

history and international relations. For my doctorate it will probably be one of those two.


On edit: Je parle francais aussi, et peut etre j'etudierai une autre langue.

[Wonk]

16. Si tu veux un autre langue, l'arabic n'est pas un mauvais choix.

C'est vraiment en demande, particulièrement dans les communautés d'intelligence.

Pardon my french. It's been awhile :-)

on edit: Chinese, Russian, Korean, German or Hebrew wouldn't hurt either, if you're interested in specializing in linguistics (pick your favorite sub-dialects).

[rockymountaindem]

6. A self promoting kick

because I really need an answer to this. Forgive me. ;)

[MichaelHarris]

10. education

I would certainly devote as much as possible to an education. As for military service, thats an individual choice (so far). To me, joining the military, would be like be called to the priesthood. You would have this inner desire to serve. I guess patriotism could be considered spiritual. With that said, I wouldn't say that military service would "fast-track" to political career. Best advice I could give is to set up a poll and ask: "Would military service influence who you voted for." I can give you my vote now. I would look for the "Best and Brightest" as they we're known during the Kennedy administration. I think you could accomplish all your goals without the service. Its your ambition thats whats important.

[tobius]

7. Depends, these people all served in the military-

Jeffrey Dahmer

Lee Harvey Oswald

John Mohammed

Timothy McVeigh

[rockymountaindem]

8. I'd try to steer clear of those types!

[MichaelHarris]

11. Tower

The guy on the tower at the University of Texas

[tobius]

17. Charles Joseph Whitman

http://www.auburn.edu/~lowrygr/doc.html
A man taking sight with a gun does well to wear a stretch-type sweatband around his head to keep the salt sweat from his forehead out of his eyes. Charles Joseph Whitman wore one, and at high noon, he was a busy man.

http://tower.jdedman.com/
WHO WAS CHARLES WHITMAN?
Born June 23, 1941, Charles Joseph Whitman came of age in a violent home in Florida. He acquainted himself with firearms early in life, as they were scattered throughout many rooms of his abusive father's home. Whitman enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1959 and later successfully applied to a scholarship program which led him to the University of Texas at Austin.

[Crachet2004]

9. You already know the answer.

You don't have to have a military background to get into politics...but look how it helps the ones who have. (I think Daschle was in Air Force intelligence.)

John Kerry's service wouldn't be as important this time, were he not running against a man who 'gamed' the sytem to keep his own ass safe...and who has started, what is apparently a war for no other pupose, than to enrich his friends-with maybe a little revenge thrown in due to his father. And the fact that we are at war, alone, makes it important.

What if Kerry were running against Daschle instead (if I'm right about Daschle)? Would either mans service be mentioned? Maybe a little, but not much. The debate would quickly move on. Both men did their duty. That is what is important. It is not a medal contest. Or if Kerry were running in peacetime against someone, say, 42, who didn't serve because the Vietnam War and the draft were over by the time he was of age. It might help Kerry a little, but if the other guy was otherwise honorable and a good candidate, he could still easily win. Other factors would have far more importance-unless we were at war. Then the service would mean a lot, like now.

In my opinion at least, it is situational. If we are at war, the American People are going to try and find a warrior to lead us. If we are at peace, a nonwarrior can be elected and even reelected once war starts, like FDR. Clinton beat Bush Sr. in peacetime. It just depends.

I had a cousin in Naval Intelligence and he liked it. If you want that kind of career, fine. But it's probably not necessary for a political career, unless we are at war for the next couple of generations like Dick Cheney says he wants to be. Your guess there, is as good as mine.

[mgarretson]

12. Hey rockymountaindem...

Send me an email at [e-mail] or if you use AIM, my sn's irguymikeg. We have the same academic interests and the same questions about military service... I'm majoring in International Studies at the University of Oklahoma... Hopefully, I'll be studying in Nice, France next year.

Sorry to the rest of you folks that aren't rockymountaindem, but DU wouldn't let me send an email or a pm... guess I'll have to post more. :)

Cheers,

[rockymountaindem]

13. Hey pal.

Just make a few more posts and then we can use the DU mailboxes and avoid cluttering our private e-mail programs. Sorry, but I have too many contacts to keep track of as it is! 55,000 people at U of T, only one address book...

[union_maid]

14. Timing is everything

In many elections military service didn't matter at all. Right now, we're hoping it does this time, but that says nothing about future elections. Bush was planning to make this election about leadership in time of war. A candidate with a record of military service takes that away from him in light of his own record. If Bush et al had acted intelligently at any point in the prosecution of the Iraq war..had not rushed to war, insisted upon war, come up with a different reason for it every day, or even if they'd had a solid plan in place for after the fall of the Iraqi government, none of this would be so much of an issue.

[Columbia]

15. Some advice

I'd suggest that you go through Army ROTC and try to get started as an officer. Being enlisted is ok, but you're going to have to go through a lot of stupid BS that won't teach you anything (unless you want to be a janitor).

As for a career, I'd advise against intel, because in my experience, they just are not real well respected. Plus, as a junior officer, all you may be reporting is what the weather will be like in the next few days.

Since you mention wanting to be involved in the State Dept, I think you should try to become a Civil Affairs Officer. Civil affairs is heavily involved in international relations and humanitarian aide and you will get a lot of hands-on experience. And as an officer, you will be making a lot of difficult and important decisions.

Finally, you don't need to be in the military to get credibility in public life, but it undoubtedly helps. It gives you a unique perspective and no one will ever be able to accuse you of not knowing what it's like.

Good luck on you decision and in your future.