Evening star., 1953-12-03


said. There are not sufficient
numbers of able men who will
willingly accept a career which
prohibits or destroys normal FAM
lily life"
The committee also found fault
with what it termed reduced dis
tinctions between ranks.
Certain postwar reforms, de-
signed primarily to force Of
flcers and enlisted men into a
common social pattern, served
only to reduce pride in service,
inhibit effective discipline, re-
duce incentive and ultimately
encourage personnel to leave the
service" it asserted. It ad-
vocated wider gap of pay and
authority.
At the same time it also con-
cluded that the uniform code of
military justice was a mistake
and that military standards
thereby deteriorated through lack
of effective disciplinary control.
1t commented on the "unwieldly
legal" procedures under the code
and added IAN officers word is
no longer recognized as his bond"
Change in Code Necessary.
It said a change in the code
was essential "if the integrity
of military leaders is to be re-
established in the opinion of the
public, thus enhancing the pro-
feSsion of arms" it said.
The committee also found IAN
unWholeSome amount of ire
sponsible criticism of the imple-
mentation of our national mill
tary policies.
THE more vociferous of crit
les aim their slanderous attacks
at our military leaders. whom
they refer to derogatorially. col
lectively and repeatedly as the
brass More recently the brass
has been extended to connote
all career military officers as a
class. Able and conscientious
men will not indefinitely con-
tinue in a profession dishonored
by public criticism"
1t found "a premium must be
placed on command and leader
ship abilities" and an ever
increasing demand for techni-
clans.
Leadership Test Lacking.
MANY now achieve promotion
to responsible positions never
placing themselves in a situation
where their leadership and COM
mand abilities are tested" the
committee complained. %. Ca
reer personnel must be assured
that leadership abilities will be
recognized. :. ="
The group also noted with
alarm" that fiscal decisions in
volving the services were not
being made by those responsible
for military effectiveness-the
top uniformed officers.
1.-The impact on fiscal decisions
affecting combat readiness by
JUNIOR advisors in positions of
influence, but without RESPONSE
bility for military effectiveness,
should be most carefully evalu-
ated," it said.
More inexperienced Personnel.
The committee also said:
/. The tremendous increase in
inexperienced personnel within
the services after start of the
Korean war resulted in dilu-
ton of career experienced au-
thority and leadership.
2. Further lowering Of profess
sional standards will make the
services less attractive.
8. Pressure groups of business
interests have emasculated many
of the compensatory benefits of
servicemen" Commissaries were
placed in this category.
4. Retirement must be made
more attractive to keep pace
with industry.
5. Inadequate housing and rent
gouging of service families must
be eliminated.
6. Personnel leaving the SerV-
ice receive veterans benefits
which outweigh the benefits
given those remaining.
7. The continuous influx and
egress of personnel destroy unit
and individual identity and with
it. ;. There must be hard core
of expert career personnel. :"