Once again we have had multiple shootings over this long weekend. To all the wannabe gang bangers and "tough guys", if you want to act so tough why not join the Army as an infantry soldier.
If convicted of a crime with a gun, how about mandatory military service? In the 70's people were given a choice of jail time or military. Take away that choice and let them go to the front lines of freedom and shoot as many terrorists as you would like.
Dale Souders
USN RET.
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As a former infantry officer and Army aviator, we don't need any criminals in the infantry or more generally in the military. Today's military needs highly motivated individuals with outstanding integrity and desire to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Let the gang members serve their time on chain gangs.
Chris Cole
Lieutenant Colonel
US Army Retired
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While sending criminals into mandatory military service may satisfy your personal retribution needs, it is not the answer, not even close. At a time when the all-voluntary military service ranks are being culled and thinned, the caliber of enlisted soldiers and officers must escalate. Sending criminals into our armed forces will do nothing but degrade the quality of our forces.
Instead of recruiting college graduates as officer material, even grunt material, you suggest eviscerating military entry standards for a quick (and nonsensical) fix that will only deteriorate our military readiness.
You need to rethink your history of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The quality of soldiers was diminished significantly as is always the case: the weakest link in the chain. To allow violent criminals into close proximity with automatic weapons is a prescription for disaster. New prescription, please.
Dave Fihn
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I'm fairly sure Mr. Souders is being facetious. But in the event he is serious I would say.....If someone has been convicted of a crime they should serve time in a penal institution or face fines or whatever else the law currently requires.
The military is not a dumping ground for criminals and its members do not need to be watching their backs as well as the enemy. It would make as much sense to drop one of these gang bangers into the ranks of the CPD, issue him a side arm, and let'm go at.
Lynn Miller
Chattanooga