Serving the Country

I am wary of linking to blogs with an overt ideological bent, but this post from Daily Kos is very provocative. I especially appreciate the quote from Army Vice Chief of Staff, General Richard Cody:

"This recruiting problem is not just an Army problems, this is America's problem," he said. "And what we have to really do is talk about service to this nation — and a sense of duty to this nation."

As I am somewhat of a pacifist, my understanding of service to one's country is not limited to military service. Still, we must ask whether Americans are failing to serve, in the military or otherwise. As far as nonmilitary service goes, I am aware of the manifold service opportunities available through churches, scouting organizations, and other non-profits, but I do think that Americans generally do not feel obligated to serve their country, whether in war or in peace. Sacrifice has become contrary to our individualistic, materialist ethic.

I must confess my own guilt: Though I consciously try to get involved in charity and advocacy efforts, when I get busy, these activities are the first cut from my schedule. Even when I do volunteer "regularly," my service is limited to a couple hours a week, if that. While I am tempted to judge pundits who cheer on the war effort though they themselves have not served or will not serve, I myself cannot even fulfill my peaceful "service obligations."

Still, someone needs to be held accountable for sorely underestimating the burden of the Iraq war on our armed forces. Several credible people raised questions leading up to the war regarding how many troops we would need. As a lay person who makes an effort to keep up with the news, I do not feel that such questions were adequately answered.

I suppose this is my point: If one is openly and enthusiastically supportive of an effort or a movement—whether the war in Iraq, the war on poverty, third-world debt relief, support for AIDS victims in Africa, etc.—one should find ways to be actively involved with that effort or movement. If one does not feel strongly about anything, one needs to find ways to actively engage one's passions then get involved with one's effort or movement of preference.