Chicago Tribune Letter to the Editor

On May 6, 2004, the following letter from Ms Joanna Zamora of Chicago appeared in the Chicago Tribune Voice of the People column:

Chicago -- I was absolutely embarrassed to claim myself as an American citizen when I read the article of the American soldiers humiliating the Iraqi prisoners. I had plans to enlist in the U.S. military. However, I now have second thoughts about those plans. As a high school senior and a cadet in the Army JROTC, I felt all my spirits were destroyed by the shameful acts of the soldiers who participated in the torture scandal.

Actions such as these definitely make Americans no better and no worse than other countries that lack so-called “democracy.”

I guess now is a good time to really practice what we preach when we criticize another country's government. My apologies go out to each and every Arab who has been offended tremendously by this horrible situation.

Joanna I. Zamora
Chicago

I felt compelled to respond to Ms Zamora's letter. I don't know if it will actually appear in the Tribune, but for the record here is my response as submitted:

In the wake of the Iraqi prisoner mistreatment scandal, JROTC Cadet Joanna Zamora [Voice of the People 5/6/04] is reconsidering her decision to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Ms Zamora, it is the active involvement of people of strong moral fiber and the courage of their convictions as senior enlisted personnel and junior officers that prevent these kinds of abuses. As someone who commanded four aviation detachments and a squadron as acting C.O., I can personally attest that officers and NCOs who actively lead and involve themselves with their subordinates do more to shape attitudes and actions than anyone else. One of my ongoing problems with those who criticize military culture, especially political liberals, is their failure to understand that the culture is shaped by those who participate, and the absence of those who hold politically liberal views in the U.S. officer corps will ensure that this perspective is not a part of that culture. It is a proven fact that sound leadership by good people shapes how their subordinates will behave.

One of the proudest moments of my military career occurred when an aviation squadron I was in was the subject of a Navy Judge Advocate General's investigation. This was an unrelated incident that occurred in the wake of the Tailhook Scandal, and our Commanding Officer, Commander (now Rear Admiral) Jan Gaudio called all the officers into the wardroom to discuss how we were going to approach the investigation. His charge to us? “There's only one path to take: we're each going to march in there and tell the truth and the whole truth.” That's moral leadership!

So Ms Zamora, if you are disgusted by the actions of a few misguided individuals, it should actually be all the more reason for you to serve. As a JROTC graduate, you can enter the service as an E-3 and rapidly rise to the NCO ranks, or you could attend college and gain a commission; in either case you CAN make a difference. I too am disgusted by these abuses and believe those involved should all be prosecuted with zeal; but I also know that all these young troops needed to prevent these actions was proper leadership and guidance. Ms Zamora, BE that guidance.

Ray Trygstad
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Maintainer of the Naval and Maritime pages of the World Wide Web Virtual Library
http://vlnavmar.usnaweb.org/

Posted by trygstad | Category: Navy | 09:27 AM