READER FEEDBACK

Disappointed Soldier

Dear COL Hackworth,

I just finshed reading Hazardous Duty for the first time, and all I can say is that I find you to be spot on in your observations of today's military.

I spent most of my adult life in the active army, getting out around 2 years ago. I found myself spending more and more time dealing with micro-managing CO's, doing stupid dog and pony shows for brass haters, and less and less of my time performing anything remotely like training myself and my soldiers for combat. So when I first read About-Face, so many years ago I was struck by the fact that here was a man that had been there, done that, and was actually telling it like it was!

Hazardous Duty only reinforced my opinion that thank God there was someone like you out there who knew how to pour piss from a boot without instructions on the heels. Moreover, you where willing to actually speak out and simply let the chips fall where they may.

In private conversations with many friends (most of whom where only humoring me) I have long said that the military was in dire need of reform. I am well aware that one voice in a democracy has only a limited force behind it. I also know that many voices raising a clamor become a force to be reckoned with.

Because of all this and what I believe in, I'm volunteering (bucking the first lesson any vet learns) to join SOLDIERS FOR THE TRUTH. If there's anything I can do to help with reforming the military then I'll be happy to help. If not then please just keep telling folks what's really going on.

Maybe if enough people expose the stupidity and blunders and sheer mismanagement seen then we can get reform.

I just keep reminding myself that as I believe Edmund Burke once said, in order for evil to win all a good man has to do...is nothing.

Sincerely yours,

Courtenay R. McFadyen