Lyle Northey (Silent/Boomer)

The United States Military has gone through lots of changes over the years. The changes have not only been in the uniforms, all wool through the First World War. The Second World War there were changes to the uniforms and today the changes are even more noticeable and the uniforms are much more comfortable  than even the ones of 60 years ago. The one thing that has not changed is the job of the soldier.

  At this moment everyone is saying if you are a soldier then that is your job, but it is one of many jobs you are tasked with and few understand that. Whether that soldier is stationed at a Post here in the US or he is at  base in a foreign country his first job is always the same, diplomat. He or she needs to be doing all they can be to make a good impression on those that they come in contract with. 

  We all appreciate good neighbors and it is nice to have helpful people next door, not the guy that tests his hot rod at midnight or decides that everyone in the area would enjoy listening to a ball game just because he would.

  Our military personnel around the world have more contact with the citizens of other nations than any other group of people. Their actions and the way they conduct themselves are a reflection of our nation, it is what others see to determine who we are. So they need to be on their best behavior and they need to be diplomats. If they get into trouble military members do not get diplomatic privilege. If they are involved in a serious crime they can serve time in foreign prisons and sometimes that is good sometimes it is not.

  In Germany they do not have a death penalty so even if someone is involved in a murder they will not end up being executed. In Korea they can end up having to help grow the crops that feed them while in jail but it is still better than being executed.

  Having to learn the language is a bonus but having to do that under extreme stress cannot be all that much fun. 

  Not everyone of our citizens that visits other countries makes an effort to put their best foot forward. Diplomacy was a very big thing when our country first got started and once we had established ourselves and formed friendly relations with certain nations it was in our best interest to keep those connections alive and well. 

  One of the sources of connection has been the strength of the US dollar and its use in the world market. At the present time it seems to be in decline as Russia and China have made a pact to stop trading in dollars and use their own currency and other nations are getting on the train with them. Are we going to the digital dollar? Wish I knew. Will this trend last and again if enough of the worlds more wealthy nations make that play then that is where we will be.