What you are about to read is opinion. I won’t even attempt to back it up with quotes or links. Some will believe it, some won’t. Some of you may actually look at the past with a different perspective. That’s my intent. Whether that means anything to you or not is up to you.
Now that the Swift Boat Veterans have come out against Kerry (which is only tacit approval of Dubya), we in the blogosphere have waited to see if the old media would finally pick up on the story, and how it would be spun. And there was never any doubt that it would be spun. What I think you will see is a focus on Bush’s ANG service, with sideways glances at Kerry’s activities. So, I thought I’d give you my take, as a veteran and pretty perceptive observer of personality.
Dubya (who wouldn’t mind being called that) decided to fly. His father had done so in the Pacific War. It was a logical decision. Going in via the Texas Air National Guard meant he could go straight through flight school with a guarantee of getting a fighter to fly. Going in through active duty meant he would have to take his chances. Dad flew fighters, he wanted to do so, also.
For those of you who snicker at Weekend Warriors, understand the the Texas National Guard has seen as much combat as many active duty units. At the time Dubya enlisted, the TANG had F-102 aircraft on rotation to Vietnam. This was no “safe” enlistment. In fact, I believe the possibility of flying in combat appealed to him. Following in Dad’s footsteps. The Bush family is very close, and this is no stretch of the imagination. Dubya finished his basic training and Undergraduate Pilot Training, and returned to his unit for advanced training in the F-102. After qualification, a friend has said the two of them asked to be included in the next rotation to Vietnam. I believe this, as it fits with the personna I see. They were turned down due to lack of flying hours, and associated experience. By the time he had the requisite flying time, the rotations of Guard aircraft were ended.
John Kerry (who would never tolerate a nickname, or any joke at his expense) enlisted in the Navy after being refused a deferment to go to school in Europe. The majority of naval forces in Vietnam had no contact with the enemy. Had he really been interested in fighting in a war, I don’t understand why he didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Army. My guess is he considered service on a ship to be safe, as long as he got the AEF medal to show he’d spent time in a combat zone. Once on a ship, he saw the opportunity to get on Swift Boats, the new version of JFK’s (the other one) PT-109. At the time he volunteered, the Swift Boats were doing coastal patrol work, with smaller vessels handling the riverine work. Still pretty safe, but he could play the new JFK and live out his fantasy.
Almost immediately after his transfer, the Swift Boats took on a more dangerous mission inside the Mekong Delta–where the bad guys lived. Given the opportunity, he did what he could to make himself appear the hero while working to get out of harm’s way as soon as possible.
I don’t know if all that is accurate. I can only look at this through their current personalities. I feel confident of this assessment, and have to say that when duty called, Dubya responded and Kerry tried to go to Europe. Quite the opposite of what the general consensus is, don’t you think?
***UPDATE*** Well, I hate to say I told you so.
I’ve been meaning to write an article along these lines….especially after reading a CNN report snubbing NG’s during Vietnam as just a place for rich kids who had pull to avoid combat service.
I served for over 5 years in the regular army druing the Vietnam era and when I decided to head home, I found an Airborne slot as a company commander in the 36th Abn. Bde in Dallas. In my years of experience there, I don’t recall one single rich kid nor anyone I deemed to be serving to escape the draft. In fact, and on the contrary, a goodly portion of the officers and NCO’s were Vietnam combat veterans.
Comment by Wallace-Midland, Texas — August 17, 2004 @ 7:12 pm
Bunker, those of us who are paying attention don’t need the links; we already know the truth.
Comment by Sarah — August 18, 2004 @ 5:52 am
Good points all, Bunker
What gets me is that on the one hand Kerry and his sort denounce the Vietnam war as “immoral and unjust”, and then on the other criticize anyone who didn’t serve. Huh? If the war was so wrong, wouldn’t you praise someone for not going?
You are also right to dwell on Bush’s service flying the F-102. These were not “safe” jets, no Cessna here. Further, he went through one whole year of pilot training, and almost two full years of full-time service (if memory serves me right). He was no weekend warrior.
But more to the point, we’re not voting for platoon leader but for president. Need we remind the Democrats that neither Lincoln nor FDR served a day in the military, and they are widely regarded as are best wartime presidents?
Comment by Redhunter — August 24, 2004 @ 5:03 pm
Kerry vs Bush: In Service
Bunker Mulligan Bunker Mulligan is really becoming one of my favorite blogs, which is why I’ve put him on the Blog Roll to the right. He states his opinion about Bush (ANG) and Kerry (Active Navy). One thing that strikes…
Trackback by The Commons at Paulie World — August 18, 2004 @ 8:38 am
Vindication
I thought it might be time to address what we military folks already know, so that those without our experience might better understand some things. In particular, I want to speak about Awards and Decorations, better known to the uninitiated…
Trackback by Bunker Mulligan — September 18, 2004 @ 3:46 pm