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1Drumming Out' And Military DisciplineThere is really only one way to look al Ihc military. II is not, and should not be, democratic. Il is not operated for the benefit of the troopers or the officers, but for the nation. Its need for discipline supercedes almost everv other consideration.Sinre World War II, the armed forces have had a hard time maintaining these primary considerations in the face of some blunt-edged attacks by opportunistic congressmen, overwrought mothers, and an often sensationalist press looking for nr, easy crusade. One tradition after another lias been discarded in the face of the drive to democratize” the military, so that today at least onebranch of the military refers lo its♦barracks as dormitories, another secs its non-commissioned officers relegated to the position of little more than skilled technicians, and yet another has largely eliminated everything which once gave value to field manuevers and training exercises.* * *THE MARINE Corps resisted this trend more hardily than the others, perhaps because it had more tradition lo defend. Bui the tragedy of Ribbon Creek, when several recruits perished, and 1he subsequent courts martial of the Gergeant-fnsfrucinr involved, seriously undermined the Corps' morale and esprit, thanks in part tn n commandant who many Marines felt did not fight hard enough against the critics who used the Incident as an excuse In rip into almost every M a r i n e training method and tradition.Today’s commandant, G c n. David M. Shoup, has by all reports done much to restore Corps spirit. But we believe that in ordering an investigation of - the drumming out” ceremony given to a young Marine in Norfolk, Vn., who received a bad conduct discharge following a term in Ihc brig for larceny, Gen. Shoup has taken an unnecessary step. He should be commending the commanding officer at Norfolk rather than putting n cloud on his career.What, after all, will better Impress other Marines with the seriousness of similar transgressions than the drumming nut ritual, with all its symholisro. How many other punks will ever remember their release from the service on a bad conduct discharge when nil it involved was being handed a piece of paper by a master sergeant and told to hit the road? The Norfolk ceremony wasnot particularly pleasant, but neither is it particularly pleasant to have the man upon whom your life may depend turn out tr he a common thief or worse.Military life is not civilian life, period. Perhaps the criminal or the undisciplined can be tolerated in our society, although we doubt it, but they cannot under any circumstances be allowed In the military. The drumining out ceremony was a healthy icminder of this fact, and it is a reminder which should be repeated more often ralher than be suppressed.
Newspaper Details
Greenville Delta Democrat Times
Greenville, Mississippi, US
Thu, Apr 12, 1962
Page 2
Full Page
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Anonymous
FL, USA 24 Sep 2018
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