My brother just got promoted to Colonel today and it got me thinking about the nature of service in the "all volunteer" military we are members of.
1. Three of the four of us (my brothers) have served more than 10 years in the military. Numerous others in our extended family have served as well. As the overall percentage of the Nation who've worn the uniform declines, I suspect that this trend of "deep" vs. "wide" service will have to continue. Is it sustainable? If not, what is the tipping point? What are the solutions other than the draft?
2. Does this "deep" service profile say anything interesting socially about us? Are we setting up a privileged or underprivileged class of those who have or are serving? For more explanation consider Sparta, where military training was required for full citizenship versus say, Germany where the Army provided a distinct and different culture from the SS and Nazi party dogma.
3. If we should someday find ourselves in a near-peer conflict, will the current personnel scheme prove sufficient? Where does this threshold lie with regard to opponents? Russia? China?
1. Three of the four of us (my brothers) have served more than 10 years in the military. Numerous others in our extended family have served as well. As the overall percentage of the Nation who've worn the uniform declines, I suspect that this trend of "deep" vs. "wide" service will have to continue. Is it sustainable? If not, what is the tipping point? What are the solutions other than the draft?
2. Does this "deep" service profile say anything interesting socially about us? Are we setting up a privileged or underprivileged class of those who have or are serving? For more explanation consider Sparta, where military training was required for full citizenship versus say, Germany where the Army provided a distinct and different culture from the SS and Nazi party dogma.
3. If we should someday find ourselves in a near-peer conflict, will the current personnel scheme prove sufficient? Where does this threshold lie with regard to opponents? Russia? China?