DON'T BLAME DRAFTEES FOR DRUG PROBLEMS IN ARMY

This is in response to Joseph L. Galloway's July 7 commentary, "Shy of
draft, there are other ways to pay the price of freedom," which blamed
all the men drafted for all the problems in the military.

Mr. Galloway wrote that during the 20th century's wars, the United
States drafted 16.3 million men into military service.

When the draft came to a halt, the Army had been torn apart by the
Vietnam War and a drug culture the draft brought directly from the
street into its ranks.

He also wrote that it took a decade to clean out the troublemakers and
incompetents, install zero tolerance for drugs and establish higher
standards, which include a high school diploma for enlistment and
advancement.

As one of those 16.3 million men drafted, I felt that was an insult to
the millions who answered their county's call to duty and chose to
serve instead of running to Canada.

I received my draft notice on Dec. 31, 1965. I was 19 and out of high
school for one year.

I found 99 percent of draftees just wanted to serve their time, not
cause problems and go back to their normal lives after two years.

Waiting lists for the Navy and Air Force were in the 12-month range,
so you either enlisted in the Army or Marines for three or four years
or were drafted into them.

And in 1965, you knew you'd be drafted within a few months of your
19th birthday.

I was stationed in Germany for 18 months and never noticed a drug
problem. I know that after I left Germany, regular Army soldiers were
transferred there from Vietnam. It was then that the drug problems
began to exist.

After a tour of duty in Vietnam, draftees were sent home so they
couldn't have caused the military's drug problems. The military
mirrored society then as it always has, and to blame draftees as the
cause of its problems is not fair.

Mr. Galloway also wrote that it took a decade to clean out the
troublemakers. If the Army was all-volunteer then, the draftees had
disappeared by then. How can we still be blamed for the actions of the
regular Army?

When I was discharged after serving 23 months of active duty, I was an
E-5 motor sergeant. When I received my sergeant stripes, I finished
No. 1 out of 50 who had appeared before a review board. That is one of
my proudest moments of my short military career.

There were many more draftees who served their country with pride. I
don't feel Mr. Galloway should belittle 16.3 million men who served
their country well.

Louis A. Benoit

Richmond Hill