In the United States, we often think of the military as an
alternative to college, as a professional training ground, for a
wide variety of skills that may include computer science,
electronics, cooking, or medicine. We have comprehensive job
placement and support programs for separating service members. Our
military training includes discipline, teaming concepts, and a
respect for civil society, traits expected to remain with a
military member for life. Through U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM)
partnership programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, many officers are
currently benefitting from military-to-military training
opportunities to learn aspects of military science and other basic
training. A small number of officers will gain valuable skills they
can use throughout their military careers or even in civilian life.
Ms. Diane Chido argues that if our own military service members on
separation or retirement faced return to their hometowns with
uncertain pension payments and no transferable skills, along with a
sudden loss of purpose and prestige, our country would not be as
stable as it is. Remove our consistent training in discipline,
respect for civilian authority, and loyalty to the national
structure, and we have a greater chance of instability. If we add a
complete lack of energy, telecommunications, and transportation
infrastructure to support even basic economic development, we have
a situation resembling that of many ethnically divided African
countries, with no employment opportunities in the civilian sphere
and where the rule of law exists only for some. Retirement-age
military officers have historically engaged in coups in numerous
African countries, and frequently civil wars reignite, even with
robust disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR)
programs. If these experienced officers, accustomed to leading and
doing, are given the skills to manage construction projects and the
knowledge to design and build power stations, dams, bridges, and
roads, and if noncommissioned officers are trained to run and
maintain these projects once built; those who pledged to serve
their country in uniform could continue to do so with pride and
purpose while wearing mufti. Infrastructure development and
enhanced economic opportunity would no longer be entirely reliant
on expensive foreign aid and experts. Above all, the threat of
destabilization would be reduced.
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