HI Bob,
On Mon 2012-Feb-27 09:13, BOB BREED (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD WEBB:
RW> Maybe, but with a draft there's always a buy out option,
RW> whether it be college deferment, etc.
BB> NO, no no! That's the problem now. If you go with universal
BB> service it has to be right after high school, then after discharge
BB> you consider college. In fact you may find a trade while in the
BB> military where college may not be a big factor.
Yep, my point exactly, no opt out available is the way I
look at it. There is no opt out, the military has first
call on your body and soul when you turn 18 or get that hs
diploma.
BB> Not so sure making all do military would fly either, but you offer a
BB> choice; military or some civil program like CCC or the peace corp
BB> thing - hell habitat for humanity would be fine with me. Point is
BB> you do something for the good of the country and you have NO
BB> exceptions except the really disabled.
RW> I'd still make it mandatory military, and if the military is willing to
RW> pass on you then you have a choice, but this way, #1 you get certain
RW> training that imho citizens should have.
RW> #2, there is no opt out or buy out possible. You *will*
RW> serve. Even the profoundly disabled, at least if they ahve
RW> intellectual capability can do something to further a
RW> military effort. Maybe it's communications, or clerical, or any number
RW> of things.
BB> I hear ya, but i think the plan isn't gonna fly if you try to force
BB> the gals into mandatory military.
Then they need to shut up and get over it . Any time
there's an option there's a way to buy out, which is how we
got into the trick bag we got into with Nam. Also, the all
volunteer thing ain't workin' so great either. It's still
predominantly the have nots who end up opting for
enlistment, because often it's their only ticket out of
nowhereville to where there might be something happening.
RW> I tried to enlist, my draft card said "subject to call" and
RW> I told the man, I'm an experienced radio op. Remember back
RW> then the navy still used MOrse. The man laughed at me, my
RW> card soon got switched to 4f.
BB> Remember when? Hell, I was part of that myself. :) Although as a
BB> CT, not a general service radioman. BTW, since I was copying about
BB> 20wpm the day I walked into radio schools it was a snap course for
BB> me. :) I think the plan was 18wpm for radiomen to graduate, but it
BB> was 35 for CTR's. Had to hone a bit to get that but made it with
BB> ease.
RW> Yeah I wasn't good enough to pass the first class
RW> telegraph though, that required 20 wpm like the extra did
RW> back then.
BB> Got my amateur at 16, next year got 2nd telegraph, then about 2
BB> years later went for 2nd phone. As you said, the 2nd telegraph had
BB> the 20wpm thing but I never really had a problem with the code.
YEp, was thinking it was 1st telegraph needed the 20 wpm. I did the phone
thing with the broadcast endorsement.
BB> 2nd telegraph lapsed because you needed endorsements to keep it
BB> valid. I let the 2nd phone lapse as no need for it, but after hired
BB> on with telco once again needed it when working in mobile radio, so
BB> back to the studying again. Man, it was harder the second time by
BB> far. Now it's lapsed again. :)
YEah I bet it was, and the technology was advancing pretty
rapidly too in those years I'm sure. I remember traveling
to Kansas City from central Iowa to take it. NOw they've
got basically a volunteer examiner program like they do with amateur, and only
two classes instead of three.
BB> Amateur still valid though but not using it and haven't for some
BB> years. Keep the code speed up though, but that's mostly via the
BB> MP3 files from the ARRL site. :)
YEah but you might decide some day to throw up a wire and
get on the air. YOu might enjoy groups like fists and the
like. Also traffic handling.
Regards,
Richard
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