Threat from the DPRK (North Korea)

[David Horn]

(09-22-2017, 04:40 PM)Kinser79 Wrote:

(09-21-2017, 12:54 PM)David Horn Wrote: It's an historical reality that those who have never experienced war, or purposely avoided it in DJT's case, are the ones most likely to be flippant about starting another one.  The prime example from the recent past: Dick Cheney

Trump had four deferments for University (classed 1-S), which wasn't all that uncommon, and unlike Dick Cheney he actually was an undergrad at the time.  The fifth deferment was a 1-Y medical deferment which exempted him from military service.

Had it been WW2 instead of a "police action" like Vietnam he would have been drafted even with the bone spurs.  He would have likely been sent to the the Air Force or Navy since bone spurs in the heels usually prevents one from prolonged marching as the Army and Marines expect.  As for Student deferments, even the non-rich got those for High School so unless you want people dropping out of school to be drafted instead....I see no problems with Trump's lack of service.

Spoken like the youngster you are.  The Vietnam War was fought by the sons of the poor and not-powerful.  Here's a perfect example that I know personally: out of a high school graduating class of ~600, >200 managed to stay in college long enough to get doctoral level degrees.  Most of them had no business getting anything more than a bachelors degree, if that.  I, being less endowed financially, did my 4 years during the height of the war, including a tour in-country.  

You discount the Ken Burns documentary, but it's dead-nuts accurate.  And for the record, I do have a real problem with both Cheney and Trump in this regard.  GWB too, for that matter.

Kinser Wrote:It should be noted I was very nearly rejected by the military myself--the Navy wasn't my first choice, but the Marine Corps wouldn't take me as I have flat feet.  The USMC rejected me at the MEPS, but I was able to speak with the local recruiter who checked and the Navy didn't care about flat feet so I enlisted there.

I also have a cousin who was rejected by the military entirely as he is asthmatic.

The rules changed in 1973 when they killed the draft -- a mistake of epic proportions.  They finally had a draft that was unbiased, and the PTB killed it dead.  No rich guy wants his son drafted.