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 | LETTING DOWN OUR GUARD With David Hackworth, America's most decorated veteran November 11, 1996 |
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Read David Hackworth's answers.
RELATED LINKS
Jim Fisher returns to Parris Island for a reunion marking the 40th anniversary of his being inducted into the U.S. Marines corps.
The NewsHour profiles Howard Brodie, a WW II veteran who remembers his fighting experiences in pen and ink.
On Memorial Day, historians reflect upon the ever-changing relationship between American culture and the U.S. Military.
When will the U.S. pull out of Bosnia?
A NewsHour look at the threats to military personnel all over the world.
Spouses of the soldiers of the 586th Engineer Company talked to Elizabeth Farnsworth, shortly after their husbands left for a year-long mission to Bosnia.
Two Senators debate the Defend America Act.
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OUTSIDE LINKS
The Veterans Administration has a site full of information on medical research on Gulf War Syndrome, VA benefits, and programs for veterans
Veterans National Archives offers military reunion information and a buddy locator.
Hackworth has earned eight Purple Hearts, over 100 valor awards, and the United Nations Medal for Peace, which he was presented for his anti-nuclear work in Australia.
Lucky Americans will have Monday, November 11th, off to celebrate Veterans Day. What used to be called Armistice Day, Veterans Day is a great opportunity to reflect upon the role of the U.S. Military, where it is, and where it is going.
For nearly two centuries, the United States was defined by wars won, and enemies beaten. The Revolutionary War, the defeat of Hitler in the Second Great War. But then came Korea, the Forgotten War, where young men died outside the public consciousness, and without the respect they deserved for putting their lives on the line for their country. Even more distressing was Vietnam, which escalated domestic divisions and misunderstanding, and to many symbolized all that was wrong, or confused about America.
Today, the lack of a concrete enemy has blurred the identity of the U.S. Military. Today's enemies are often nameless terrorists and instigators of unrest in seemingly remote areas of the world. There are almost 1.5 million Americans on active military duty worldwide. The 15,000 soldiers stationed in Bosnia, 333 in Haiti, 2,000 in Guantanamo Cuba, 43,000 in Japan, and 36,700 in South Korea are struggling to define their role.
Uncertainty has made the military budget an open battle for politicians competing for funding of projects in their respective states. In September, President Clinton approved a $256.6 billion defense spending bill-- $11.2 billion more than what was asked for. Proponents said the bill made up for 12 consecutive years of falling defense spending that stretched military personnel to the limit and lowered morale on the bases.
The bill's detractors have said most of the money has been earmarked for high-tech weaponry and research. And critics are worried that the Pentagon is spending too much money on radar-equipped destroyers and stealth bombers and too little to improve the outdated rifles carried by soldiers on the ground in Bosnia, or the dilapidated housing on training bases.
Though the bill provided for a 3 percent raise for military personnel, stories about military families on food stamps have long provided ammunition for critics who charge that soldier wages fare poorly compared to civilian pay scales. So is the raise enough?
Our guest is the most decorated living veteran in the United States. David Hackworth is a strong advocate of military reform, who says that the government is misdirecting the hundreds of billions of dollars in the military budget. He says the military budget could actually be reduced if the Pentagon reassessed its priorities, and redirected the money to the working soldiers.
Our Forum asks: Where are our armed forces headed? Is the U.S. Military over committed? What is the relationship of the current missions in Bosnia, Haiti, Japan, Cuba, South Korea to America's defense? And what does it mean that some of the soldiers on the ground are using the same weapons their fathers used in Vietnam? Who should replace Secretary of Defense William Perry? And what role should the U.S. military play in the global upheavals and realignments of the 21st Century?
Questions asked in this forum:
- What will be the role of NATO and should the U.S. be in Bosnia?
- Advice for new soldiers
- How should the top brass handle sexual harassment?
- What can be done about the low morale on military bases?
- What should be the role of the National Guard and other Reserve Forces?
- Why the discrepancies in the pay scales among military personnel?
- Making oral history-- an Australian classroom links up with Vietnam vets?
- Should the U.S. walk away from the two-war strategy?
- What is the government's responsibility to homeless veterans?
- Additional comments.
A question from Larry A. Hoff, Col. USAF, ret. of Medford, New Jersey :
I have read and followed your thought about Vietnam and afterwards. Considering the new state of world order, i.e. the rise of major regional powers following the void of the bipolar superpower cold war, what role should NATO take? What role should the U.S. follow in NATO?
Following that line, what is the continuing impact of the U.S. involvement with participation of NATO in Bosnia?
Colonel Hackworth responds:
I believe NATO's mission ended when the Iron Curtain collapsed. I think NATO should be replaced with a European Defense Pact and the U.S. should not be involved.
And Bosnia? Our dog is not in that fight, we should get out of there.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from David of Lexington, Kentucky
What advice do you have for a 19-year-old who has just enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Cav Scout and will be leaving for Germany in the Spring?
Colonel Hackworth responds:
Get in the best physical shape possible before springtime and read as many military history works as possible. I strongly suggest you read "War As I Know," by Gen. Patton; "About Face" and "Hazardous Duty by yours truly.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from Alicia Flout of Atlanta, GA
What do you think of the Army's Aberdeen sexual harassment case and the Navy Tailhook scandals? Does the armed forces foster a military culture that is hostile to women? Are the military leaders fully engaged in fighting sexism and sexual harassment, or do they see this as a witch-hunt by the media?
Colonel Hackworth responds:
The sexual harassment incidence s that have occurred in our military are disgusting. The military hierarchy has tried its best through instruction, lecture, orientation, and supervision to stop this. But it looks like all of these efforts, which include tens of thousands of hours and millions of dollars, have failed. I think the top brass need to look at the integration of men and women in units all over again. It appears to me it has failed.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from Lance M. Forbes of Grovetown, GA
I've been in the military since 1978. I've seen it grow from a "hollow shell" to the effective fighting force that conquered the deserts of the fertile crescent. I am greatly distressed and concerned with what I see happening today. The military of today is swiftly deteriorating to the same uncaring, zero defects military of the 1970's. Morale is dropping, and an apathetic attitude is beginning to take root as many highly respected officers and NCOs leave the service.
I am an instructor at one of the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Academies and I can see the proverbial handwriting on the wall. I am not a pessimistic person, but I am a realist. If we do not reverse the current trends, we are going to pay a high price when we are called on once again.
Since you have faced this apathy before (I read your book), my question for you is this: What can we as caring noncommissioned officers do to begin changing the course we are on?
Colonel Hackworth responds:
The answer is to inform the chain of command. I have personally told Dennis Reimer exactly what you outlined to me. He's aware of the problems, but I believe it needs to be reinforced from those down at the bottom.
It only takes a few good men and women to make change.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from James M. O'Rourke, Sr of LaGrange, IL
What do you see as the role of the National Guard and other Reserve Forces in the changing tempo of U.S. military involvement?
Colonel Hackworth responds:
I think the Army NG [National Guard] and Reserves should merge. This new citizen/soldier force will play an increasingly higher role in national defense.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from Arthur Skillman III of Yokota A.F.B. Japan :
Re: The Enlisted Force gap between pay & benefits VS. Officers.
I do not think the gap will ever get any closer.You can look at issues from pay to housing.Why is there such a large gap? For example: Why is the flight pay for A 0-3 with 8 years of service $650 and for an E-4 on the same type of aircraft only $125? I will have to pay more for civilian life insurance just as he or she will, because I have what is considered to be a high risk occupation. How many special projects would we have to give up for a better quality of life?P.S.: I AM AN ENLISTED AVIATOR IN THE USAF AND I THINK I HAVE ONE OF THE BEST JOBS IN THE WORLD!!
Colonel Hackworth responds:
The reason pilots received higher fly pay is that it costs $1 million to train them. I know it ain't fair; it used to piss me off when officers got $100 for jump pay and we enlisted grunts who shared the same danger only got $50.
Thank you for your service to our country.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from Jaime Dickson of Sydney, Australia :
I am a teacher of history in Sydney, Australia and my Year 10 class are currently involved in an Oral History assignment on the Vietnam War. I really want them to use the Net to try and contact Vietnam veterans so that they can ask them questions. I happened to notice that you will be having David Hackworth answer questions on another topic but I could not help thinking "Would he like to field questions (vie e-mail) from a number of 16 year old Aussie kids?"
Colonel Hackworth responds:
Shoot us your questions and we'll give it a go. My e-mail is teagles@hackworth.com, and my Web site is http://www.hackworth.com.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from Scott Haines of Eden Prairie, Minnesota:
Mr. Hackworth, should we walk away from the two-war strategy? Retired Air Force Chief of Staff Merrill McPeak was quoted in Time June 5, 1995 saying, "We should walk away from the two-war strategy. Neither our historical experience nor our common sense leads us to think we need to do this. We've had to fight three major regional contingencies in the past 45 years. One comes along every 15 years or so--two have never come along simultaneously.... If you come down to 1 million troops you can do one war, be ready to do it and be modernized to do it."
The Time article stated, "Lawrence Korb, a top Pentagon official during the Reagan years, agrees with McPeak's estimate that scaling back to a force for 'one war plus deterrence' could save about $50 billion annually, or about 20% of the defense budget."
The Time article went on to say "McPeak acknowledges that the Clinton Administration's shaky relations with the military make it unlikely that this Administration would push to replace the two-war strategy with a more modest pledge, although the Pentagon's civilian leaders quietly suggested it two years ago. 'They got their shins kicked,' says McPeak. 'It has to be a hard-line guy who says, 'This is silly.' "
Mr. Hackworth do you agree that preparing for one war plus deterrence is appropriate strategy? If yes how can the strategy be changed?
Colonel Hackworth responds:
I agree with McPeak. Please see my new book, "Hazardous Duty," which outlines how we should reform the U.S. military. It calls for a 50 percent reduction in military expenditures.
Warmest regards, Hack
A question from the Online NewsHour Editors: :
A new report from a union of homeless shelters shows that one in every three homeless men seeking refuge is a veteran. The number of homeless veterans ranges between 250,000 and half a million, according to various surveys. The VA says that even the lower estimates of demand for homeless services far exceeds the government's ability to cope. What should be the government's responsibility to these soldiers?
Colonel Hackworth responds:
American politicians have always been eager to send our warriors to war, but never willing to care for their broken minds and bodies when they return. There are plenty of empty barracks and considerable surplus material and unused infrastructure to house, care for, and retrain our homeless vets. It's criminal how America fails to look after its poor and downtrodden. American leadership should revisit the Statue of Liberty and read the inscription.
Warmest regards, Hack
Additional Comments:
Alan Young of Buck Hill Falls, PA
Please discuss the loss of any recent unifying personal experience among all Americans about the rolls and successes of our military forces. The difference in the feelings about our country post World War II and now illustrate how the military's role and public perceptions about the role have grown apart. Personal needs and desires dominate our lives. National and international security issues are someone else's problem, and Americans may really be in denial. As a result, we Americans as a people now see military service as something foreign to almost all of our lives and to our children's personal futures, where individual priorities about life dominate over the general good and military diligence. Because we have no external threat which unifies us personally as a country and which might have to be resolved by our nation's military, we have lost what many times in the past has brought our nation together, a shared sense of victory.
Francis T. Sullivan of Philadelphia, PAOne of the problems that I see with the military's salaries and other quality of life issues is that there seems to be no constant advocate for our men and women in uniform. In my opinion, sailors, Marines and their spouses have no real voice in the appropriations process.
I'm a 1986 Naval Academy graduate who has served on two ships and as the Officer-in-Charge of a training unit. I took the Navy's offer of a buyout in 1994.
I believe AEGIS destroyers cost $1 billion per ship because there's a perception inside the Beltway that the money has to be spread around to towns and cities like Bath (ME), Pascagoula (MS), Arlington (VA), Norfolk, San Diego, Philadelphia and on and on. Those places all have powerful legislative sponsors. Recall the BRAC process - some places spent years and months trying to keep obsolete bases open and civil servants, contractors and vendors employed. (By the way, I work for a contractor.)
On the other hand, while our active-duty personnel are obeying the orders of senior officers in places like the Persian Gulf, it's "out of sight, out of mind" for them. In my opinion, they are at the LOWEST level of the Defense food chain. Even the reservists and the National Guard have more pull, I think, than do our active-duty personnel!
Mike Le Clair of Vine Grove, KYAs a taxpayer I have often felt that the tax dollars allocated to defense are often times wasted by the people entrusted to use these funds prudently. We have seen weapon systems researched, then developed and built to be later scrapped as not being what we really wanted. We have seen military construction accomplished to be later never used or destroyed. We continue to study and develop futuristic weapons systems that may never come to fruition or are not relevant to the threats we face to our security today. What can we do to truly get a handle on this ongoing waste of funding and insure that future funds are allocated to areas that are relevant to supporting the current missions, the soldiers/sailors/airmen/ and marines, the facilities they use and finally the families that support these fine people.
Eric P. Klehr of Spirit Lake, IAI am concerned our military is not focusing fast enough on what I think is the real threat to the U.S. -- terrorism and smaller groups/governments making problems in remote parts of the world. I think we were very lucky in the Gulf that Saddam didn't move fast or more boldly in the beginning. It took us months to build up our forces for this conflict. We need to have a bigger, faster type of force that can respond to these type of problems. We need to support programs like the V-22 and the Navy. All of which makes the U.S. much more prepared for conflicts around the world where we need to be, yesterday. The B-2, F-117, and other stealth [aircraft] are great, but they are over-rated and too expensive.
Brent Hedden of Kingsland, GA.Mr. Hackworth,
I am in the Navy and have been for the last twelve years. I am a submariner stationed on the USS Maine SSBN 741 G. I embarked on this journey twelve years ago to fulfill an obligation to my country. For the most part I have enjoyed my career, there have been times that have not been so great either. I feel that our mission in todays world is one of the worlds police force. The people of this country enjoy the privilege of peace that we provide, yet constantly complain about our budgets. I for one, believe that we are not paid enough for the job we do. I do not want to sound like someone just complaining but take this example.As a submariner, I have to live my two completely different lives three months at a time. Six months on an average a year I have no access to the liberties that I am providing to this country of ours. I am not able to see the sun set, nor the full moon on a clear night. The things people take for granted on a daily basis like taking a walk with your kids or watching the nightly news. I spend my time standing watch six hours at a time in a steel can in the waters surrounding our planet. We spend hours after hours training and practicing for the time that we may be called to protect our nation. Compared to prisoners who have committed crimes without even a second thought, we serve more isolated time with out privilege s than they do. They can see the flowers on a spring day, smell the air on a cool morning. They have visitation rights all year round, I get to see my family six months a year. Some prisoners get paid a salary, granted it may not be much, but they are in there because they committed a crime! I guess nobody would really understand unless they had to live the way we live before they could see what we have to endure.
After twelve years of service I am still not making $30,000 a year! I have seen the people in the military with the food stamps, my family alone has been enrolled in the WIC program. I was really upset to find out that I, a twelve year veteran, have to rely on a program meant for people in a real need. I fought with my wife for a long time over the issue, I was too proud. But when your children are in need you tend to do just about anything even drop your pride!
Gary Porter of Delta, UTBeing a 12 year veteran of the armed forces and an intense American patriot, I can't help but be concerned about this countries military forces being put in harms way for absolutely any job the U.N feels it should. We aren't even the U.S. Army any more but just the U.S. Army of the United Nations! Who are they anyway? I remember the oath I took when I joined the army and it was to defend the Constitution of this great country, not to be used as a hired mercenary of the U.N. It makes me sick!
Peter Spadia of Chapel Hill, NCI have recently left active duty from the Navy. I was a O-2 when I left. During my time in the fleet I saw a lot of good things and plenty of absurd things. It was (originally) my belief that civilian companies ran much more smoothly (no crisis management), compared to the fleet. But to my surprise, it seems that the military (at least my ships) had their act together when it comes to getting stuff done. I was wondering if you have had the same experience? My biggest complaint about the Surface Fleet is how little training/discussion there is about fighting the new types of battles.
It is my strong belief that the surface fleet (Amphibious ships and cruiser/destroyers, no aircraft carrier or subs) is the one community in the Navy that still has a job in the "New World Order."
M (on active duty) of Honolulu, HI
With over 13 years of service as both an enlisted man and an officer, I am very distressed at the direction our leader- ship continues to take.
Despite budget cuts reducing the number of junior and senior leaders I have seen numerous article in the Army and Air Force Times discussing the retirement of general officers at their next highest rank. i.e. a major (2 star) general is allowed to retire at the grade of a lieutenant general (3 star).
Additionally, I have innumerable examples of "Leaders" using their position for personal gain. The junior leaders have their hands tied, and when if candid enough to state that the situation is unworkable (outdated equipment, maintenance problems, unrealistic workload etc) are told to not concern themselves as they (the senior leaders) will "fix" it. Their fix, unfortunately, is a paper fix, wherein they juggle the numbers to make themselves look good in the eyes of their superiors. Meanwhile the welfare of the troops suffers.
Having served in four branches of the military for so long I can honestly say I am very concerned about our ability to win (not conduct, but win) any major conflict. I feel the senior leadership is no longer functional beyond an administrative field.
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