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Letters

FRUIT SALAD MIXUP

I understand Robert F. Dorr’s feelings about generals covered in ribbons [“Flag officers should show restraint in ribbons they choose to wear,” Opening Shots, July 12], but perhaps he is unaware of the extent of the regulations he quotes near the end.

Air Force Instruction 36-2903 states, quite clearly, “Ribbons are optional. If worn, all ribbons and devices will be worn.”

That’s just for regular blues. The wearing of full service dress — as one would almost certainly do if appearing before one’s commander in chief — is more restrictive: “Wear all ribbons and devices.” That’s not a suggestion, that’s a requirement.

Perhaps, if Dorr is so offended by generals displaying their full ribbon rack, he should seek to have the regulations changed first, so they are able to comply with his wishes.

-- Airman 1st Class Nicole Nickles, Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Editor’s note: Dorr mischaracterized AFI 36-2903, which requires all ribbons and devices be worn with full service dress. If airmen choose to wear any medals and devices with blues, they must wear all of them.

ROE status quo or fast EXIT

While troops on the ground would say the cost of the rules of engagement has been paid dearly in the form of fallen comrades, the decision to adjust the ROE is more complicated and wide-ranging than its tactical impact.

If Army Gen. David Petraeus’ marching orders are to continue the status quo of Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s counterinsurgency strategy in a more politically correct manner, then adjusting the ROE is impossible. After all, if our goal is truly to attempt to get the Afghan people to support the government of Afghanistan, we can’t do that if they see the government as sanctioning what — in their opinion — is the killing of innocent civilians when mistakes are inevitably made.

If our strategy shifts to one more like what happened in Iraq — and we go on massive offensives to kick butt and take names — then the ROE should be relaxed. Then we as a nation should be ready to get out of that quagmire just as soon as we’ve severely weakened the bad guys and given the government a chance to run itself without us as a safety net.

It’s a fundamental question: Do we relax the ROE, go on the offensive and drop the hearts and minds goal in favor of a speedier exit, or do we keep the ROE and spend decades over there trying to build relationships?

-- Master Sgt. Mike Hammond, Honolulu

cOVERing FOR SINGLEs

As I read through the article on single and married airmen [“Is life better for marrieds?” June 21], I began to get more and more offended by some of the opinions quoted.

I joined the Air Force eight years ago. I have experienced the single and married life, and I have felt every one of the stressors that both married and single airmen experience.

The article continuously mentioned that single airmen have to cover the work load or do not get holidays off because married people are catered to. I can see where some are getting this idea, but most people do not look at the big picture. For example, holiday leave is given to military members of higher rank — rank has its privileges. Married airmen do receive time off before a single airman would, mostly because the single member is not going home to be with his family during the holidays. Manning permitting, single people may take leave if they are going to be out of the area.

I challenge single airmen to ask themselves if they would feel cheated if they had to miss their children opening presents so that a single person could sleep in and stay in their room and watch TV.

I have covered for single co-workers who have gone to sick call, been put on convalescent leave or have gone on emergency leave to be with their family. We all have reasons to be excused from work.

Regarding pay difference in Basic Allowance for Housing, I cannot fathom why it is hard for folks to understand that room and board costs less for single airmen than it does for married airmen and their families.

-- Staff Sgt. Nicole M. Harris, Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.