The fact that you think my point was "let's dumb down the officer corps" then your literacy is seriously in question. If you HONESTLY think I stated anything close to wanting to keep people out of the Army because they're too intelligent, you may need anti-psychotics, because you literally had to fabricate that notion out of thin air.
What I did say, and stand by, is that I find the notion that we should all rejoice because Harvard let us lowly military types back into their hallowed fold is what's pathetic. Harvard will allow us back! Oh joy! Swing low, sweet chariot! Now we have worth! Our mighty struggle for righteousness has come to an end!
Give me a break. We have never gone wanting for extremely intelligent officers. Believe it or not, Harvard is NOT the only school with outstanding talent. As even you pointed out, MIT is right down the road and I've yet to see them admit many slouches. In fact, my best friend is assigned to the ROTC unit there and I'll put any of his cadets against any product from Hahvahd. Then there's this school called Stanford. They've been producing officers for about 150 years. I hear they're pretty bright kids. But they're not Harvard, so pointing that out must be further evidence of my scheme to keep the Army dumb. I suppose the fact that Princeton has outstanding ROTC opportunities is also evidence of our nefarious desire to "take smart kids and keep them dumb." We couldn't get anyone from there who could compare to the super humans that Harvard could offer to our lowly mercenary--I mean military--venture.
But no, no, we're getting off topic. We must rejoice, for Harvard has decided in the year 2012 that Army officers are public servants.
What do you know about Army leadership anyway?
Follow the bouncing ball - Harvard allows ROTC. SP says - we don't need Harvard - we have plenty of schools. Smart kid wants to go to Harvard. SP says to Smart kid - if you want to be in the Army go to another school - like State. Smart kid says I want to study Classics and Chinese - they don't offer it at State. SP says well study something easier and go to an easier school? Or don't be in the Army?
Not hard to draw the dumbing down conclusion from your 'elitist' remarks.
Probably you should get your facts straight - STANFORD just recently invited ROTC back to campus. And you say I may need anti-psychotics? I am seriously doubting you even read my post. You are the one who obviously feels the need to denigrate the Harvard and their 'elitism'. The fact is - Harvard is a leader in higher education. Like it or not - the moves they make have an impact.
Whatever. This is not about you. I know it's probably a shocker that the Army made a decision that is not about you. Not about you the individual officer and what 'validation' you need or do not need. You are looking at this from the wrong end.
Perhaps it's about redemption. Harvard - and other schools, Columbia, STANFORD and a few others - kicked out ROTC during Vietnam. You are far too young to remember or relate to this but the military had it rubbed in their faces that they were too good for a military career. Of course, you were never spit going to class in your ROTC uniform.
MIT was stuck between a rock and a hard place since they are a land-grant university and would have lost their land grant status.
As the Army welcome back other colleges including STANFORD - they should also welcome back Harvard.
Officership is an honorable career - I am pleased that the best in academia recognize this. You should be too.
A lot of Officers - current, former and retired put a lot of effort into this move - frankly, I am glad their efforts were not wasted and they came out on the winning end.
I honestly don't think there is anything negative about this move. I fail to see your point of view on this. Do you have something against someone serving in the military just because they go to Harvard? Honestly though this decision probably won't impact you or the work you do or what you think about during the long nights of your lonely deployment - nor should it.
In a nutshell - this move is good for the Army, good for Harvard and mostly good for the Army Cadets who attend Harvard. You don't have to ring the church bells or have a parade. But you should not be trashing it either.
What do you know about Army leadership anyway?
Wow. What does this even mean? Just another way to 'prove' that you are the only one entitled to an opinion?
You are probably one of those soldiers who complain that the civilian population is 'out of touch' with the military - yet when we make an attempt you claim that we 'can't possibly know'. Can't have it both ways, buddy.