Winston-Salem Journal says the idea of connecting military enlistment with service in the Peace Corps is not very smart



But any direct connection between the Peace Corps and the Defense Department, which, by the way, was once known as the War Department, is simply too dangerous for the volunteers. That connection would raise suspicions about the intentions and activities of all volunteers, not just those who were still affiliated with the military.

Winston-Salem Journal says the idea of connecting military enlistment with service in the Peace Corps is not very smart

War and Peace

Winston-Salem Journal

Hats off to the U.S. military for thinking creatively when it comes to new ways of attracting recruits. But the idea of connecting military enlistment with service in the Peace Corps is not very smart.

The Pentagon has had authorization for several years now to fashion enlistments in a way that combines military service with either the reserves, the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps. Legislation passed by Congress went into effect in 2003 and allows the final years of a military enlistment to be served in any of those three ways.

The purpose of the legislation is commendable. It aims to broaden the national service opportunities open to young people. Service in either of the volunteer corps or the military is certainly of great importance to this country.

To this point, the military has not implemented the legislation. It has permission to pursue these enlistments but has chosen not to do so. Now, as the military runs short of recruits, the Pentagon is considering using the law.

To do so would be dangerous - at least for the 7,733 Peace Corps workers in 73 countries around the world. From its outset in the early 1960s, the Peace Corps has been an American gift to the underdeveloped world. Volunteers serve at the request of host countries, bringing peaceful skills that are in short supply locally.

For its entire history, the Peace Corps and its volunteers have had to overcome skeptics in host countries. Volunteers have been suspected of being spies and undercover military advisers.

The corps has had to work hard to protect volunteers from those who see a sinister hand in their work.

Granted, many an American soldier returning from duty in Iraq is well prepared to help with civic projects. Much of the work of the American military in Iraq is helping to rebuild infrastructure.

If those soldiers want to further volunteer, they would certainly be useful in the Peace Corps.

But any direct connection between the Peace Corps and the Defense Department, which, by the way, was once known as the War Department, is simply too dangerous for the volunteers. That connection would raise suspicions about the intentions and activities of all volunteers, not just those who were still affiliated with the military.

The same objection would not apply to those who would want to volunteer for work in AmeriCorps, a domestic agency. The worry lies with sending military personnel abroad ostensibly as civilian volunteers.

The Pentagon should drop this idea. It puts Peace Corps volunteers at risk, and it threatens to undermine the good work that these Americans are doing in developing countries.

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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