In general, the administration is taking the view that America's leading technological capabilities can give us radically higher levels of accuracy, stealth and mobility sufficient to out- fight larger, but less modern, military forces. There is no time to waste, and although there is no specific timetable for the Defense Secretary's comprehensive review, Secretary Rumsfeld considers it urgent and is moving forward with deliberate speed. One matter that requires little further discussion, however, is the need to improve the quality of life for the men and women who serve in the military. More will be necessary over the long run, however, if we hope to attract high quality recruits. Patriotism helps to motivate volunteers, but with 5,000 American military personnel relying on food stamps to feed their families, we need to give those who defend us a fairer deal.
Much military housing is old and rundown and needs to be replaced.
The news that civilian visitors were at the controls understandably infuriates the families and friends of those who were lost. The Navy assures us that the civilians were closely supervised, and did not cause the accident. The presence of 16 civilians on the sub, however, may have been enough to distract those whose responsibility it was to watch out for surface vessels. President Bush has told the Defense Department to review its policy of inviting civilians to participate in military exercises and he is right to do so.