Much thanks to the people of the Armed Forces
To all the brave men and women, thank you all so much for all that you do. So many like to argue about some military actions. So many people forget that no matter what the circumstances, the U.S. Armed Forces are doing their job. The men and women, many whom I have come in contact with over my years in this military town (near Robins AFB), are the best people on earth. I have made friends and family with these brave people. I am honored and privileged to say that these people who put their lives on the line are my loved ones. I have heard all the arguments over the last few years. I had friends deployed in Afghanistan, and now I have a dear friend leaving for the Middle East. I want to take this time to thank every one of you for your service to this country. It is people like you who make this the best nation on Earth.
Julie Winslette
Warner Robins, Ga
10/14/2004
Don't cheapen the tradition
I have to agree with Master Sgt. Dennis A. Ross and urge our Air Force leadership to amend the regulations. The Airmen serving alongside the Army in combat theaters are being recognized by our sister service. Four years ago we would have never imagined that our transporters, security forces, civil engineers and others would be fighting alongside the Army, engaging an enemy that is bent on our destruction.
The Army is honoring us; let us allow our Airmen who have served in combat to proudly show that honor by allowing them to continue to wear the combat patch on their BDUs. The Army awards the patch in a ceremony to instill pride and esprit-de-corps. Let's not cheapen that tradition by making it only temporary for our Airmen who are combat veterans.
Charles Cranford
Richmond, Va.
10/14/2004
Let us display our pride
I would like to add to the letter from MSgt Ross. We were also awarded medals from the Army that we can wear with no questions asked. Why is this combat patch such a hard issue? I can not put into words the morale and pride that is instilled by simply allowing a small percentage of people to wear a patch they earned. We gave a part of ourselves that we will never get back and all we ask is to wear a well deserved and earned combat patch.
Staff Sgt. Steven Lounsbury
Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
10/14/2004
Leave the Army Combat Patch to the Army
I am a former vehicle operator of nine years and have many friends who are in Iraq or have been there with the Army on combat-convoy duties. I think it's fine for them to wear an Army unit patch while assigned to an Army unit, but it needs to be removed once the deployment is over and kept as a memento of your experiences and sacrifices in Iraq. If Air Force personnel want to wear Army patches, they can now switch to the Army by submitting an application for the Blue to Green Program.
Tech. Sgt. Wade MacTaggart
Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
10/14/2004
Wants wear of Army Combat Patch
I recently returned from a six-month deployment in Iraq where I worked alongside Army units to perform combat convoys throughout Iraq. My fellow airmen and I supported an Army Corps Support Battalion. As a result, we were awarded the much-coveted 1st Infantry Division combat patch.
Army regulations allow Soldiers who earn a combat patch to wear the patch for the rest of their careers. Unlike the Army, the Air Force only allows Airmen to wear the combat patch while they are actually assigned to the Army unit. Combat patches are a great source of pride and represent the sacrifices made in a combat environment. I feel that Air Force members who earn combat patches should be allowed to wear them for the rest of their careers.
I know this issue was brought before the recent uniform board -- the board tabled the issue in favor of convening a team to discuss the issue. I don’t understand why the board felt the need to table the idea. To me, this issue is more important than the color of the scarf that we wear (this year’s uniform board changed the color requirement for our scarves from grey to black) and is much simpler to approve.
Please join me in pushing this issue forward so that men and women who serve in combat roles with our sister services can get the recognition they deserve.
Master Sgt. Dennis A. Ross
Bolling Air Force Base, D.C.
10/4/2004
If I'd known then what I know now
I was discharged from the Air Force in 1976. Of course, I did not realize I had it made in the Air Force till 28 years later. Wherever I was stationed, I had very good people to work with and be around. The work habits are a whole lot better in the AF. Where I'm at now, there is a lot of "It's not my job" and the work does not get done. In the Air Force I could count on the people in my flight to get the job done and done right.
I miss a lot of friends and coworkers from then, and the bad part is I don't have very many pictures of them.
So, you should take a lot of pictures of the places you are at and the people you work with and what you worked on.
I'm proud to have served and proud of every military member now. God bless America.
Jess Tom
Indianola, Iowa
10/2/2004
Keep it an open forum
I must respectfully disagree with 1st Lt. Henry Heren, who sent in the letter "Remember who you are and what you represent." While we are all responsible for what we say (you cannot incite people to violence, yell a false "fire!" warning in a crowded theater, or commit slander or libel), this forum is for the express purpose of soliciting opinion. There must be an atmosphere of non-retaliation for opinions that do not break the law. Otherwise the forum will be worthless and it will devolve into diatribes against people with standards right on the edge of [Air Force Instruction] 36-2903. Your leaders look at this as a way to get a less-obstructed pulse of the climate in the Air Force. It fulfills other purposes as well: tension reduction, information dissemination, and more. Take away an expectation of non-retaliation and no one will say what they believe needs to be said. Unless, of course, they're getting out. Let not the chill, dry wind of censorship evaporate this little watering hole of public opinion!
Tech. Sgt. Kurt Foskett
Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
9/30/2004
Share the blame equally if it's deserved
I have to agree 100 percent [that sexual-assault allegations aren't simple]. I am also concerned that we have begun a trend that says if a female has had too much to drink then she is incapable of giving consent and therefore not responsible for her actions, then we say that a male who has had his share of alcohol is 100 percent responsible for his AND her actions. This is absolutely a double standard. We are doing a disservice to our female troops by not teaching them how to handle themselves. We want equality, and we must share the blame equally. Sexual assault is not when two people get drunk and have regrets the next morning, it's when one person forces himself or herself on another.
Tech. Sgt. Patricia A. O'Rourke
Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
9/29/2004
Just want to say thanks
I just want to take the time to thank all the men and women out there for all of their hard work. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you always. Keep up the good work!
Jessica Roark
West Grove, Pa.
9/28/2004
Thanks from Army is much appreciated
I have been retired from the Air Force for 30-some years. It is very pleasing to me to hear an Army Special Forces member make such flattering comments about the Air Force. I grew up being called "bird farmer," one of the more printable nicknames. My years in the Air Force taught me a lot about being a good citizen, being responsible and other life-essential matters. I responded to the revolution in the Dominican Republic and gave a year in Southeast Asia, so it isn't as if I don't have some knowledge of what it takes to be in combat. Thank you, Lt. Lopez, for making it known that the Air Force can "hold up its end of the log."
retired Tech. Sgt. Dale E. Whitlock
Dayton, Ohio
9/24/2004
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