ex army ?

[Mortblanc]

In the US Military all officers must have a college degree before being commissioned. (this includes promotion from the ranks) That often reflects on family background and intelligence level. More so in the past, since a larger percentage of our present generation is college educated.

NCO ranks require continued education and a college degree to gain promotion, which is required to continue service. No one sits in the ranks and rides the rocking chair in our military. You promote or leave. I know several people who exited the service after 12-15 years, due to not having the math, science, or communication skills to attain the next level of education to attain their next required promotion.

The tradition of military service often runs through families here in all levels of society. I know many people that trace their family's service through many generations. My own family has served in every official war here and abroad since 1680, and countless frontier skirmishes.

Our country never had hereditary rank, and we never sold/purchased commissions or positions. They have always been earned based on merit. At least that is the official stand.

Who runs what is often a matter of opinion based on whether one was an officer or an EM and whether they were in a combat unit or the catering corps.

I know who did the planning in my unit, I know who executed those plans, and I know who was held accountable when one of those pans failed, and it was not the grunt in the trenches.