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/ Perspective m THE ARMY- <3.1 VOCATION OR JOB? By RONALD REAGAN Perfomq "Family Bible Jamboree" SERVICE NEWS Starts Basic What kind of an army do we have? That question is being heard more and more these days. Usually it concerns the state of preparedness of the all- volunteer army. But there are other questions about the army which go to the very heart of military service. Recently, an article in the Sunday New York Times raised questions having to do not just with the technical skills of our soldiers but the very definition of what it is to be a soldier. The article was written by Richard A. Gabriel, described is'an associate professor at St. 'Anselm's college in Man­ chester, N.H., and co-alithor of a book titled "Crisis ill Com­ mand."_I have not rel^d the book but its title gives idea of Pro. Gabriel's point. He claims - and I am sim­ plifying his long and detail article - that when the army started to incorporate business management practices into its officer training and advan­ cement programs, what it gained in efficiency it lost in spirit. He claims that when* former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara insisted on what he called "good business practices" in the army he began a system that has had mixed results. While good business practices are desirable in some areas of army life, such as management of spare parts and ammunition and food supplies, the combat soldier needs a different kind of approach, one based on military tradition rather than business cost-effectiveness. Gabriel goes on to say that during the Vietnam war, "the army tried to provide all its officers with an opportunity to command. As a result, officers served only six months in combat while the soldier served 12 months. Morale fell so badly that more than 1,000 officers were estimated to have been assassinated by their own troops." I do not know where Prof. Gabriel got that estimate, but even if it is exaggerated, his point is worth pondering. What he is saying is that what ap­ peared to be an efficient and even laudatory business practice - letting each officer get a little combat training - resulted in low morale because a combat unit is not a business. Gabriel then claims that in order to economize on replacement costs, the "army adapted a system whereby individuals instead of units were fed into the replacement stream." This caused our combat units, in Gabriel's words, "to become associations of strangers" and battle ef­ ficiency was thereby lowered. He points out that combat units are successful when their members have strong shared bonds of attachment and when the risks and the hardships are shared by officer and soldier alike. Is Prof. Gabriel correct? I'm not sure, btit his article does raise an imporant point. He says, "As soon as members of a combat unit see themselves as pursuing a 'job' instead of a 'vocation', see themselves as 'managers' instead of 'leaders' and begin to 'fulfill the system's norms' instead of 'doing their duty' then the basic cement that holds military units together begins to crack. After all, if the army is just another job, who is prepared to risk his life and perhaps even die in defense of a mere job?" These questions are serious enough to require an in­ vestigation by the Secretary of the Army. Meanwhile, it is good to be reminded that there are some tasks in life that demand to be done by those with 'vocations" -- with a special calling. Not every task can be looked at as "a job". Teachers, Liz and Dave McFadzean will present the "Family Bible Jamboree" at Chain 0'Lakes Evangelical Covenant Church. 4815 Wilmot Road, McHenry, Tuesday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. The "Family Bible Jam­ boree" is a non-denominational Christian traveling show. It is a combination of catchy tunes, corny jokes, pratfalls and the constantly reiterated message that faith in the Lord will see you through. The McFadzean's are from Indianapolis, Ind. and have crossed the country going to Sunday schools, nursing homes, churches and gatherings of all sorts. Their presentation of the stories of Noah, Daniel, David and Goliath, and the Good Samaritan are designed for children and their families. They have given the Lord an opportunity to use their talents. They were drama majors at the University of Evansville and are veteran performers of children's theatre. When they became Christians they looked for a way to serve the Lord. Drama was their answer. "We saw the way children react to television," Liz said."They were limited to how much they could participate, and we wanted them to par­ ticipate. Also, nothing in our doctors, soldiers, and -- yes - mothers and fathers have all known this, but has it escaped the attention of latter-day Pentagon planners? A|JE CTflD travel service I A IB I 1MB Planning n Corlbb*en crultaf MIMItf AIRLINE and AMTRAK TICKETS WMU Ym Walt Chain-O-Lakes TRAVEL SERVICE 3405 W. Elm St. McHenry, Illinois 60050 Planning n Caribbean crultaf A trip to Europ* ..Maiico . . Hawaii? You can compara thorn all undor ono roof at our oHIcol Wo aro ogontt (or ttoamthlp. al-llnot. hotolt. •Ighttoolng companion throughout tho world. •p*ndabU Travel IIki 1961 385-7500 Area Code 815 HAVE YOU TRIED OUR FAMOUS FISH IKS CONTRACTORS Job Held Up Because Of Concrete Delivery Delay? CALL ACCU-CRETE, INC. Saturday Deliverys Available Phone: 338-4718 SERVING - FRIDAYS - 510 PM ALSO SERVING: STEAK-WHOLE CATFISH-DEER BATTER SHRIMP AND SANDWICHES PISTRKEE COUNTRY CLUB 615 W. Day Rd., McHenry 385-9854 SWING INTO SPRING Nothingruns like a Deere' Lawn and Garden Tractors Seven power sizes -- 10 to 19 9 hp Triple-safety starting Color-coded controls Fiberglass hood --Variety of implements available Keep your lawn trim and neat.. Riding Mowers Rotary Mowers Handle mowing chores quickly with a 5- or 8-hp riding mower Choose from 3-speeci and 5-speed transmissions. 28-. 30- and 34-mch cut Some models have electric start, others recott start All have color-coded controls, padded seat and roomy operator s area Deluxe 21-inch mowers ;ome in two styles -- push-type with 3V2-hp engine and self-propelled with 4-hp engine and rear-wheel gear drive Single levers -- front and rear -- let you adjust cutting height quickly Optional 2'/2-bushel rear bagger available CRYSTAL LAKE LAWN and LEISURE '/j Mile West of Route 31 RT. 176 CRYSTAL LAKE 815-459-5847 upbringing really made the Bible memorable. We thought if we could implant the idea that the Bible is fun and has basic information, they'd be more apt to go back to it when they were older." The two put their show together on a part-time basis and now have a full-time schedule. Admission to the performance is free. Refresh­ ments will be served af­ terward. It's a Fact At twenty a man thinks he can save the world; at thirty he begins to wish he could save part of his salary. -Atlanta Two Bells. They Do Folks used to deny themselves luxuries to have money,in the bank- today they go without money to have the lux­ uries. -The Unionist. VINCENT BERSTAD Marine Private Vincent Berstad, son of Larry and Joan Berstad of McHenry, com­ pleted his boot training at San Diego, Calif. He will be going on to Camp Pendleton for Basic Training as an AVN Machinist in the specialty program. Private Berstad attended McHenry high school, and joined the Marines on Jan. 15. Navy Promotes Paula DeCastro Navy Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Paula DeCasto, daughter of Patricia A. Staar of 913 Sunset road, Spring Grove, has been promoted to her present rank while serving at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. A 1976 graduate of William Fremd high school, she joined the Navy in July 1976. Panek Finishes Officer Course Lt. Stephen J. Panek, son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Panek, 1510 Hillside, McHenry, recently completed an infantry officer basic course at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Ga. Students received instruction in leadership, personnel, in­ telligence, map and airphoto reading, operations, logistics, tactical communications and equipment, and weapons. This training is designed to prepare students for the duties and responsibilities of a company grade officer. PAGE 11 - PLAINDF Panek entered the Army in December of last year The lieutenant received a bachelor's degree in 1978 from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Returns From Pacific Duty Navy Gunner's Mate Second Class Claude H. Mohler. whose wife, Linda, is the daughter of Pete and Peggy Mitzo of 1105 Oakwood drive, McHenry. recently returned from a deployment in the western Pacific. He is a crewmember aboard the destroyer USS Hewitt, homeported in San Diego While deployed, his ship operated as a unit of the l .S Seventh Fleet During the cruise, his ship participated in training exercises with other Seventh Fleet units and with ships of allied nations. Port visits were made in several far eastern countries The Hewitt is 563 feet long, displaces 7,800 tons and carries a crew of more than 250 officers and enlisted men She is designed primarily for an­ tisubmarine warfare < ASW > and is armed with two light- ALER - FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1979 weight five-inch guns, ASV torpedo tubes and an AS\' rocket launcher The Hewe't capable of carrying a multi-purpose helicopter long range detection and ai ,n>' of submarines. Mohler joined the Naw - December. 1971. • * * • Deficit spending wil end when the politician:, in Washington have the guts to say no when the nation can't afford it. * HISTORICAL... Costumed hostesses at Kenmore, the home of Colonel Fielding Lewis and his wife, the sister of George Washing­ ton, lend an element of liv­ ing history to the 18th cen­ tury building at Fredericks­ burg, Virginia. Make your life easier with this fine Black and Decker MOD 4 cordless power tool kit Comes complete with Energy Pak and three snap-on heads for three tools in one! (1) With its Shear Head, its a handy Grass Trimmer, ideal for small jobs and hard-to-reach places; (2) add the Extension Handle, and you can trim large areas quickly; (3) put on the Lantern Head for a powerful sealed beam flashlight (Comes with one-year Black and Decker guarantee.) Deposit $5,000 Deposit $10,000 To receive your gift . . Deposit Deposit $200 $1,000 $15.00 $10.00 (One per family, while supply lasts Subject to change without notice. Sorry, item cannot be mailed.) m S <"<*** MEM&R FSUC mam First Federal Puts A Premium On Spring Make your life better, by saving now at First Federal Savings and Loan, the area's largest financial institution with assets in excess of $275 million. We pay the highest savings interest rates allowed by law and offer a variety of savings plans including the popular Money Market Certificate of Deposit Accounts. Earn top interest rates and take advantage of the Black and Decker premium offer. FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF ROCKFORD DOWNTOWN NORTH TOWNE EDGE BROOK 5 POINTS ROCK TON AVE.