Involuntary
Marine Recall
Orin
Pogue, Posted Sep. 14, 2006
Last
month, President Bush authorized the involuntary recall of
Marines starting in the spring of 2007. This recall enables
the government to bring inactive Marines back to active duty,
even though they have already fulfilled the time they signed
up for.
As
the recall will affect many former troops and their families,
strong feelings are felt by many Mizzou students.
“I
realize they must fulfill their duty as soldiers,” said
Evan Laub, freshmen international peace studies major. “But
it is unfair to command the men and women, who have already
seen combat and served their time, to serve involuntarily
in a war no one believes in anymore.”
While
the current recall only takes troops, some students fear it
is just one step closer to an all-out draft.
“It
instills the sense that a draft could happen at any time,”
said Travis Gabel, a junior majoring in middle school education
at MU. “If they go this far, when is it going to stop?”
With
the recall, many wonder if the President has the right to
take such measures.
“I
think it is an outrageous use of presidential power to subject
Marines to such drastic measures,” Gabel said. “There
comes a time to admit faults and make adjustments.”
It
seems, though, that the Marines are looking past the negatives.
“As
Marines, we are here to serve the American people and assist
in the execution of policy as directed by our elected officials,”
Reserve Liaison Office Major Steven O'Connor said. “My
thinking, with regards to this matter, is that as Marines
we support not just this President but whatever President
is in office.”
The
recall was created in order to fill the upcoming rotations
overseas, since overall recruitment levels are low. The Marines
are not worried about filling future numbers.
“I
can't speak for all of the United States Military, but as
for the Marines, we are continuing to meet our recruiting
and reenlistment goals,” Major O’Connor said.
