Army Strong

Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments
when he was merely stupid

--Heinrich Heine

___________

This recruiting poster tugs at the patriotic heartstrings, especially as it emphasizes, ''You'll get $2,000 when you refer enlistees'' (VFW Magazine June/July 2007.) Come 2008, that should be able to buy you a 13'' t.v. at Costco.

We've come a long way, baby, from the ''Uncle Sam Wants You'' posters of yore. Those were the days before shameless profiteering became married to patriotic duties.

The Armed Forces have transitioned from appealing to recruits on the basis of duty, through the ''Be All That You Can Be'' dynamic of self-actualization, emphasizing independence, self-reliance and capability, onto the Army of One concept of the indestructible unit. The next logical step away from thought to action was ''Army Strong.'' It fits in with a national ethos of might makes right.

Also in this edition is an article on a former Army Strong Wounded Warrior, John E. Kirkendall, who has filed a discrimination suit against the Department of the Army after they tossed out his application for Supervisory Equipment Specialist (aircraft). Kirkendall is a 100% disabled veteran who was entitled to preferential consideration for this slot, for which he was qualified. His appeal is online here.

It appears Kirkendall was good enough to get his shit blown away serving in the Army, but as a wounded warrior his services were not deemed acceptable by the Ft. Bragg personnel office. Talk about hypocrisy that boggles the mind.

Ranger's beret is off to former trooper Kirkendall both for his service, and especially, his courage in fighting for his right to work as a civilian DoD employee. He has earned this right.

Salute.