From Nation’s Elite AWOL From Military:
As recently as 1956, 400 members of Princeton’s graduating class went on to serve in the military. In 2004, nine graduates did so. Harvard, Yale, Brown and other elite universities don’t even allow Reserve Officer Training Courses on their campuses.In the years after World War II, virtually every member of Congress was a veteran of military service. By 1971, three-quarters of the members had worn the uniform. Today, only a third of the 535 members of the Senate and the House of Representatives have served.
The consequences:
- Not having veterans throughout the decision-making process damages the country’s ability to make sound decisions on the use of our military. Without them, the political leadership has less understanding of the true cost of war and who pays that price.
- Any division between the military and the rest of us weakens the country and, the authors argue, increases the risk that the military “will be overused and under-led and that support will run out fast for any project that becomes a political liability.”
- Finally, “When those who benefit most from living in a country contribute the least to its defense and those who benefit least are asked to pay the ultimate price, something happens to the soul of that country.”