Here's the deal. The facts and speculation about the candidates' respective military service are pretty well known now and have been pored over by many people. There are probably no more surprises or other new revelations left to be discovered. So I'm going to wrap up the way I see it and get on to the other issues surrounding the campaign (like what Kerry did after coming back from Viet Nam). Unless something big is announced, I'll probably not write on this again here.
Kerry served in Viet Nam. Kerry requested a draft deferment so he could study in Paris. When it was denied, he signed up as an officer in the Naval Reserve. When his unit was called to active duty in Viet Nam, he did his duty and went. He admits that he chose to serve on swift boats because it wasn't very hazardous at the time. When the mission of the swift boats was changed to patrolling the rivers, which was considerably more dangerous, he followed orders and went. When his boat came under rocket fire, he didn't run away but charged the enemy position at great risk to himself and his command. Even though it left his boat a sitting duck, he beached it in front of the enemy. Even though he abandoned his command in doing so, he jumped off and went after the man who fired the rocket who, despite having been likely struck by a 50 caliber machine gun round, could still have been armed and dangerous. Regardless of whether or not there was enemy fire at the time, he pulled Jim Rassman from the water. And despite the fact that none of his three purple hearts was given for an injury that required hospitalization, he still served four and a half months in Viet Nam before taking advantage of the rule that allowed him to return to the US.
Bush did not serve in Viet Nam. Despite the fact that it entailed a six-year obligation, rather than the two years required of draftees, Bush signed up with the Texas Air National Guard. Despite the fact that it required a great deal of skill to fly, and several pilots died in crashes, he learned to fly the F-102 Delta Dagger fighter jet and was considered a fine pilot by his superiors and fellow pilots. Despite the fact that qualified F-102 pilots in the National Guard were being rotated to Viet Nam as part of the Palace Alert program, and despite accounts that he asked to be a part of that program, he didn't go because, by the time he was qualified, the program was winding down and they didn't have any more open slots.
Both men were trained as officers. Both left their respective services as Lieutenants. Both were honorably discharged.
Despite the fact that Clinton never served in the military in any way, and despite the fact that Clinton's two opponents (Bush Sr. and Bob Dole) were both combat veterans in WWII, Kerry has made his service in Viet Nam the centerpiece of his campaign for President. Bush is not relying in his National Guard service, has never questioned Kerry's service or patriotism, and has even said that Kerry's service was more honorable than his own because Kerry went in harm's way and experienced combat.
Military service alone does not a good President make. Although it can give us insight into a candidate's character, there are many other factors that must be weighed when we make our decision on who to vote for in November. What did they do after their service? What are their records in their respective terms in elected office? What are each candidate's plans for the future should he be elected? These are just as important, indeed they are collectively even more so, as their military service.
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