The News and Observer says military arrangement puts Peace Corps volunteers at risk



The arrangement puts at risk Peace Corps volunteers with no ties to the military but who might be suspected of being former military anyway. The Peace Corps, which has done enlightened work around the globe, will have its credibility badly tarnished if its independence is compromised in this fashion. With military enlistments slipping, the Americorps option is a good idea. But the Peace Corps should be left out of this package deal.

The News and Observer says military arrangement puts Peace Corps volunteers at risk

Peace Corps protection

U.S. Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Evan Bayh of Indiana no doubt had the best of intentions when they arranged to let active-duty soldiers complete their service obligation in the Peace Corps along with its domestic equivalent, Americorps. Yet their idea was not well thought out.

The Peace Corps, created by President Kennedy, wisely has maintained a sturdy wall between its humanitarian work and U.S. security functions. Suspicious foreign nations may accept help from idealistic young Americans, but understandably might steer clear if intelligence ties are suspected or if a military influence is perceived.

The provision gives military recruits the option of serving the last four and a half years of an eight-year hitch in the Peace Corps or Americorps (instead of in the Individual Ready Reserve) while still qualifying for financial bonuses. When the legislation stalled in Congress, McCain and Bayh slipped it into a defense budget bill that passed in 2002 -- even though the head of the Peace Corps evidently hadn't been given a chance to weigh in. He now says he's not enthused.

The arrangement puts at risk Peace Corps volunteers with no ties to the military but who might be suspected of being former military anyway. The Peace Corps, which has done enlightened work around the globe, will have its credibility badly tarnished if its independence is compromised in this fashion. With military enlistments slipping, the Americorps option is a good idea. But the Peace Corps should be left out of this package deal.

When this story was posted in August 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their military obligations by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is rising opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" Latest: RPCV Chris Matthews to discuss the issue on Hardball tonight.

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Top Stories: August 1, 2005 Paul E. Tsongas Public Service Award unveiled 21 July Charlie Peters writes book on Wendell Willkie 25 July Protests against Peace Corps in Bangladesh 30 July Christopher R. Hill leads talks with North Korea 29 July Chris Shays blocks senator's plan to reopen bases 29 July Dr. Joann LaPerla-Morales leads Middlesex College 28 July Jacob Mundy supports struggle in Western Sahara 28 July Paul Theroux blames big oil for ‘catastrophe’ in Ecuador 28 July Bruce Wilkinson has called Africa home for 17 years 25 July Taylor Hackford producing "E-Ring" for tv 25 July Robert Haas to retire as head of Levi Strauss 24 July Brent Lynn turned Janus Overseas Fund around 24 July James Rupert says Musharraf walks tightrope in Pakistan 23 July Thomas O. Mann describes Carp Fishing in France 22 July Rob Quigley receives Maybeck Award in Architecture 22 July Blackwill says visit by India PM a 'historical breakthrough' 21 July NPCA studies membership structure 21 July Mark Lenzi says Poles deserve the West's support 20 July Mark Gearan weighs in on Bush's Supreme Court pick 20 July Ofelia Miramontes championed bilingual education 18 July Hank Stelzer supports school for blind in Lesotho 16 July

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Special Events for RPCVs RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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