I appreciate Mr. Fitch’s powers of observation, however quick he is to condemn all things military. I did not address the one day stand-down in my previous post. I apologize for the oversight, but I assure you it was unintentional. I would assume that it goes without saying- the actions of the individual recruiters in Colorado and Texas were reprehensible. They go against the very core values and beliefs that are part of every Soldiers’ life. I can also assure you that the type of aberrant behavior demonstrated by those two individuals is not something that is, or ever will be, tolerated by me as the commander of the Army unit in this area . I will tell you this: Every day in my unit, we talk about integrity, honor, respect, and selfless service. It’s easy to make inflammatory statements. Does the fact that a prominent vegetarian activist was accused of sexually assaulting young women at the National Animal Rights Gathering in May mean that all vegetarian activists are sexual predators? I don’t think so, but it sure could get people fired up if enough people starting saying it.

I also take offense to Mr. Fitch’s continued insistence that I am a salesman. I am not selling anything, nor have I received sales training. I have been trained as a logistics officer, an infantryman, a paratrooper, a jumpmaster, a parachute rigger, a mortuary affairs officer, petroleum operations, water purification and distribution, military mountaineering, and many other things- But not sales. I am a simple Soldier who has served his country honorably for the last 15 years and will continue to do so. I am here to provide information to young men and women who are interested in or may benefit from serving their country as a member of the US Army.

The techniques that are used to disseminate information in this day and age are common among many organizations- slick brochures, action videos, half-time commercials during the NCAA finals- is it the Army? No, it’s the University of (Take your pick). College recruiters utilize methods that are common to many large organizations attempting to convey information to a large audience- as does the military.

When Mr. Fitch talks about getting the “whole� picture, I assume that he’s also talking about the literature that his organization passes out.

“The GI Rights and Draft Alternative Program at the Resource Center for Nonviolence does not spin data or statistics to reach our Conclusions.� I believe I pasted that correctly from your last post.

I don’t see how passing off a 23-year-old study of wage comparisons as if it were “current� information could be perceived as anything other than spin. (Rosen & Taubman, 1982?) Your “Military Recruiters’ Myths� handout is at least 10 years out of date. At least you could find current information to back up some of the statements that are made. Concurrent receipt was signed into law this year, the GI Bill and Army College Fund is $70,000, etc. I’m not trying to say that YOU are omitting facts or information, Mr. Fitch. I’m sure that your organization wouldn’t do that, would they?

All kidding aside, I know that your intention is not to be misleading. Neither is mine, and I would be happy to buy you lunch sometime and talk about Iraq. After all, I’ve been there.