In response to a previous article on the military, I respect the former enlisted soldier's decision to discontinue military service and his concern for other students who may consider the Air Force ROTC program (letter to the editor, Feb. 9).
However, students should make their own decisions based on their own sense of morality and civic duty.
Military service is not for everyone. Not everyone can or chooses to meet the physical, moral and intellectual standards of being a military officer.
But some students may be surprised of their own capabilities, once they give it a try.
I am sure readers know that military officers do work under contract -- but they are not "signing their life away."
Any corporate job in the United States will require you to work under some type of contract; the United States military is no different.
Wherever students decide to work after college, they will have to accept the responsibility of working under the terms of some employer's agreement.
Moreover, the idea of "signing your life away" undermines the respect due to military personnel that have the honor of serving their country.
Not everyone has the privilege of wearing the United States military uniform or representing our country across the world.
Not everyone has accepted the call of duty to serve our country.
Military service, my fellow readers, is not "signing your life away." Save that term for diabolic contracts only!
Military service is a special calling some students will decide to accept. A duty to which some students will decide to dedicate themselves -- with or without the paper contract.
I, for one, serve as an Air Force officer, and I respect both enlisted and commissioned officer personnel of all branches for their commitment and courage.
The bottom line is that military service is best defined as a privilege -- not a paper contract.
