Oh, boy. I have spent the last 30 minutes fielding e-mails from readers of
The Corner saying “That’s exactly how I feel!” (Referring to that post an
hour or so ago from a 28-yr-old software engineer.) Well, 28 is not too
late. Here is a reader with a constructive suggestion: “John, as somebody
who was in the same boat as your software engineer until last November, I
wonder if you wouldn’t pass along a note from this 29 year old computer
geek, inviting him to consider the Reserves. I am due to report to Army
training this month, while my wife is carrying my first child, and I can’t
tell you how charged up I am to FINALLY get a chance to earn my uniform and
lay to rest any regrets I have ever had over not joining the Army as a
teenager after the first Gulf War. It is hard on the family, sure. My wife
and I have had to move recently to afford the lean times while I am in
service. But can you put a price on knowing that you serve the greatest
country with the finest armed force in the history of history? I think not!
So, to the nameless software engineer, I say: join me, sir. Call your local
recruiter. In fact, if you are a Seattle area soul, call Sergeant Allison
who is head of the local recruiter station. He is at 362-1465. Tell him
you want to know if the Army Reserve has room for one more patriot.” I
can’t wait to see the recruiting numbers for the next few weeks.