We Have Enough Old Colonels Running Around
The U.S. military pushes its experienced members toward retirement for a reason. By Readers Aug. 6, 2023 11:06 am ET A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1 Viper attack helicopter in Yuma, Ariz., March 9, 2019. Photo: Allison Lotz/Zuma Press The U.S. military’s up-or-out promotion system, including the provision for some modest retirement-style benefits as early as the 20-year point, isn’t perfect (“The Military Encourages Its Best to Retire Too Soon,” Letters, July 29). The basic structure, however, has stood the test of time. Combat, and even many strenuous, noncombat positions, favors the young. The last thing our military needs is a lot of old colonels and captains running around—there are probably too many as it is—much less a surfeit of older, midrange officers and NCOs. I would have been delighted to stay on and fly my helicopter gunshi
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1 Viper attack helicopter in Yuma, Ariz., March 9, 2019.
Photo: Allison Lotz/Zuma Press
The U.S. military’s up-or-out promotion system, including the provision for some modest retirement-style benefits as early as the 20-year point, isn’t perfect (“The Military Encourages Its Best to Retire Too Soon,” Letters, July 29). The basic structure, however, has stood the test of time. Combat, and even many strenuous, noncombat positions, favors the young. The last thing our military needs is a lot of old colonels and captains running around—there are probably too many as it is—much less a surfeit of older, midrange officers and NCOs.
I would have been delighted to stay on and fly my helicopter gunship for a few more years. The Marine Corps was wise to give my cockpit over to a younger pilot, likely with sharper reflexes than mine. More important, that young officer might possess the rare talent, that I clearly lacked, for a high-level command position in the future.
Maj. Mike Leach, USMC (Ret.)
Virginia Beach, Va.
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