Military Service...Still a Great Start in Life!

 By Commander Scott Smith, USN (retired)

            A recent Auburn Magazine photo spread of military alumni currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq was a great tribute to the men and women of the Auburn family who have gone in harm’s way on our behalf.  During 20 years of naval service I took pride in my Auburn “roots” and always carried a symbol of Auburn during deployments abroad.  I’m glad to see that the spirit lives on!

            My fondest long distance Tiger memory is of the 1993 AUsome victory over Florida in The Swamp, the year we were undefeated...but on probation.  After returning from a night flight in the Arabian Gulf I was thrilled to find the game broadcast live by the USS George Washington!  Through the wonders of satellite communications, I traded cheers and jeers with a Gator Grad from another squadron during the seesaw battle.  “My” Tigers won the day , however, and the Auburn spirit lived on. 

            Since my graduation in 1981, our armed forces have engaged in 5 “wars.”  First, we won the Cold War without firing a shot.  The deciding factor was our Nation’s supreme military capabilities and the commitment of our civilian leadership.  To be sure, economics played a large role, but the preparedness of our men and women in uniform was the key to a bloodless victory.  Auburn grads were part of the victory in significant numbers.  The Naval ROTC strength was over 300 in those years.  Total ROTC strength on campus was around 1000 students!

            Since then, our armed forces have engaged four armed adversaries: invading Iraqis in 1991, pillaging Serbs in 1999, elusive terrorists since 2001, and the Iraqis again in 2003. Two of these conflicts can be called victories both militarily and politically, and the recent invasion of Iraq can be called a military success.  Our battles against terrorism and the remnants of Saddam’s regime are ongoing, but I’m putting my money on our armed forces.  Americans and Auburn faithful of all political persuasions can be proud of what our men and women in uniform have accomplished! 

            The armed forces of the United States were tasked during the 1990s with maintaining a high level of global war fighting capability with less money. Defense budgets were cut as our Nation’s priorities shifted.  Also, during that same ten years, the single, defined enemy of old became the global, ghost of an enemy that is terrorism. Talented military leaders managed the evolution from a military of large, forward deployed forces to smaller, more mobile air, land and sea forces.  The key element of this successful transition was people, many of them Auburn graduates.  People who thought “outside the box” to exploit technology, streamline procurement, and develop tactics that would beat the threat within budget guidelines. 

            Today, the Naval ROTC unit at Auburn is 1/3 the size of old.  I’m sure the Army and Air Force ROTC units have similar statistics.  Each service is more selective in recruiting officer candidates, and frankly, there are fewer people even considering military service these days.  This brings me to the point of this letter: getting the word out to young people to at least consider a Navy, Army or Air Force ROTC career.  The competition is tough, but the rewards are great.  As you know, ROTC graduates don’t have to interview for a job and they begin employment the day of graduation.  There is pride in being part of the world’s finest military force and serving your countrymen while operating fantastic machines all over the globe.  They may even get to watch Auburn football while halfway around the world! 

            The Auburn Naval ROTC Alumni Association awarded five $500 scholarships last year to Navy and Marine Corps students who demonstrated superior academic performance, physical fitness and leadership.  There are currently only 70 alumni supporting these future leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps.  We can do more if more will join!  Fellow alumni, I know you are proud of what these young sailors and Marines are doing on our behalf, why not contact a classmate or two and encourage them to join our Auburn NROTC Alumni association today!

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