Outrage at manipulation

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Special Reports: August 2, 2005: Headlines: Speaking Out: Military: Intelligence Issues: Washington Post: Peace Corps Option for Military Recruits Sparks Concerns : Top Story: Peace Corps Option for Military Recruits Sparks Concerns: Outrage at manipulation

By Anonymous (pool-138-88-135-254.esr.east.verizon.net - 138.88.135.254) on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 5:01 pm: Edit Post

to endanger peaceful volunteers who have to dodge the darts of the"cia taint" and the US greed based foreign policy as they try to mend fences and enhance the lives of the less fortunate is unconscienable. How dare he try another way to use the young of this country as gun fodder for his selfish, self centered gain.

By Conner Bailey (m015f36d0.tmodns.net - 208.54.95.1) on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 7:52 pm: Edit Post

On the face of it, this is a terrible idea for the reasons articulated. To take a contrarian view, however, we are talking options for young people, many of whom are as idealistic as all of us have been in our lives. I've a son-in-law who just got out of the Marines, and while he might not have considered the Peace Corps 3 years ago, he's grown up some since then. I would add that while ex-military are often able to "buy" retirement time in federal and state agencies and universities, this option has never been offered to RPCVs. And yet we serve no less (arguably far more) than most soldiers.
Conner Bailey
Professor of Rural Sociology
Auburn University
Malaysia XIX

By Rose Marie Starkey-Calder (dsl-80-42-136-213.access.as9105.com - 80.42.136.213) on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 3:24 pm: Edit Post

I honestly think that the 'intelligent' people who thought up the idea of military personnel completing their service via the peace corps definitely need a reality check. The current policy of persons who complete military service can also apply to service in the peace corps is entirely appopriate. BUT most volunteers have to deal with the fact that in our assigned countries we are constantly view with suspicion as US military government employees. Now, 'someone' wishes to prove that those suspicions are correct. Not only will this policy confirm current suspicion correct (that all peace corps volunteers are in the pay of the US military organization) but past suspicion are probably correct also!

RPCV Philippines

By MajorOz (ppp033.man.centurytel.net - 64.91.46.111) on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 7:39 pm: Edit Post

Conner Bailey
Professor of Rural Sociology
Auburn University
Malaysia XIX
opined:

"I would add that while ex-military are often able to "buy" retirement time in federal and state agencies and universities"

You wouldn't happen to have a citation at hand, would you?

"And yet we serve no less (arguably far more) than most soldiers."

This comment is so far removed from reality that I am sure the reason could never be made understandable to you even by those with language gifts far beyond mine.

cheers

oz -- and "Semper Fi" to your son-in-law


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