Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Standard Phrasing

In this morning’s New York Times, Wesley Clark is defending John Kerry by citing his military records, specifically, Clark refers to Kerry’s evaluations.

"The evaluations were uniformly glowing. One commander wrote that Mr. Kerry ranked among “the top few” in three categories: initiative, cooperation and personal behavior. Another commander wrote, “In a combat environment often requiring independent, decisive action, Lt. j.g. Kerry was unsurpassed.” The citation for Mr. Kerry’s Bronze Star praises his “calmness, professionalism and great personal courage under fire."

A couple of thoughts on the cited excerpts.  While attached to the USS LOS ANGELES (SSN688), my duties, as a Personnelman, included typing evaluations for all 120 plus members of the boat’s crew, officers included.  The excerpts, Clark so glowingly refers to, are basically boilerplate statements that I imagine you will find in any evaluation, officer or enlisted, written during that period.  Heck, I took a quick peek at my evaluations, from my five year enlistment, and found excerpts that express similar sentiments about my abilities.  Except for the fact that my duties and abilities were not tested under fire, Kerry’s name, or any individual who has served in the military with a bit of fortitude, could be substituted into the evaluation with the same result.

The measure of a man, whether it be Kerry, Clark, or myself, cannot necessarily be determined by reading an evaluation, written with standard military phrasing.  Actions speak louder than words.  Kerry’s actions, in regards to his military service, evaluations, and medals, speak loud and clear.  I hear disdain.

Clark’s piece is titled “A Sterling Record."

Posted by John Venlet on 04/28 at 05:03 AM
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