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Letters

NCOs NEED MORE DECISION-MAKING POWER

Regarding your Aug. 10 article “NCO Power,” it is about time that policymakers started returning decision-making authority to where it belongs — in the hands of noncommissioned officers. The area of leave and liberty, however, is just a small step in the right direction.

We need lifesaving, front-line decision-making power returned to NCOs. Command policies that tie the hands of NCOs in life-threatening circumstances, like during battle, should not be made by policymakers tucked away in air-conditioned buildings. In Afghanistan, for instance, policy forbids Marines from using type-three close-air support and pursuing or shooting at enemies in residential areas. Searching women is also prohibited. These are decisions that should be made by the Marines whose lives are on the line.

If policymakers are afraid that the wrong decisions will be made in the field, they need to ensure that Marines are armed with knowledge and then hold them accountable to their training. Policymakers shouldn’t take the easy way out by making blanket rules that tie the arms of all Marines in the fight and give the enemy a clear way to beat us.

PUNISH SPECIFIC DOG OWNERS

In response to the Aug. 3 article [“Doggone Strict”] about the Marine Corps proposing to ban pit bulls from base — wow. Our dogs are now another thing the Corps is trying to take away based on the actions of a few irresponsible people. While they are at it, why don’t they just ban all dogs from base because they all have the ability to maul people?

Seriously, instead of punishing all Marines just because there are a few bad apples in the bunch, we should set up a system. In such a system, owners of “dangerous” or “aggressive” breeds would have to have a certification of temperament that says their dog hasn’t demonstrated aggressive behavior toward people or animals. They should also institute a three-strike rule that says if your dog gets out three times, it has to be permanently removed from base within 24 hours or it will be euthanized. A single act of aggression against people would result in the same action.

Honestly, how can the pit bull, an animal that was used on patriotic posters during World War II, descend to the lowly status of villain? In my opinion, inaccurate representation of pit bulls in the media is the main reason. No one wants to read about the pit bull who saved its owner’s life. People want to read about the pit bull that mauled a little kid in the front yard.

No matter how old, CALL THEM ALL ‘MARINES’

The Aug. 12 online article [“Death for 2/8 Marines amidst rising violence”] about the recent deaths of three “junior” marines from 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, made this old Marine jump out of his chair. I always thought that what makes the Marine Corps the finest fighting force in the world is the fact that we’re all “Marines” with no distinction made in regards to age. Frankly, I feel that the phrase in the article — “junior Marines” — diminishes and marginalizes those fine Marines. It could lead readers to infer that these individuals were something less than “true” or “senior” Marines — perhaps even junior ROTC Marines.

I recall that the sergeant major of the Marine Corps spoke out against the use of the phrase “junior NCO” when used to describe E-4s. I have spoken to so-called “junior” Marines who have told me that the distinction has unfortunately become widely used.

The use of this phrase is a true disservice to all the E-1s through E-3s who do the Corps’ heavy lifting. When I was a Marine, I was taught that the entire Marine Corps exists to help these so-called “junior” Marines accomplish the mission. Please spread the word and remind all Marines of this basic tenant.

KEEP FALLEN AT FOREFRONT

Ever since Military Times papers started printing The Human Toll, listing casualties in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, my personal tradition has been to turn to that page as soon as I pick up a copy to read the names and see the faces of those we’ve lost.

I was disappointed to see that section moved from the front pages to virtually the last. I think, at a minimum, we owe it to our fallen brothers and sisters in arms to keep them in the forefront of our minds and not shove them back just before the classifieds.

Housing assistance falls short

The expanded Homeowners Assistance Program is intended to ease the burden on service members who purchased homes during the housing “bubble” and were forced to sell their homes as a result of permanent change-of-station orders.

Though this program is funded and guidelines have been established, the HAP Web site, hap.usace.army.mil, advises that the guidelines must first be published in the Federal Register before the program can begin helping service members.

We have been waiting for this to happen for over two months. This wait is forcing service members to miss key opportunities to sell their property. The program’s attempt to help military members appears to be an effort that ultimately falls far short. This program is creating, not reducing, hardship.