"Ronald Reagan enrolled in a series of home study courses sponsored by the U.S. Army as early as 1935
and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in April 1937 and was posted as a Private with the 322nd Cavalry (Reserve) at Des Moines, Iowa. Due to his studies prior to enlistment he was quickly promoted to Second Lieutenant in May of the same year. Reagan moved to Southern California not long after this to pursue his acting career and transferred to the 323rd Cavalry. Both the 322nd and 323rd were part of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 66th Cavalry Division.
"Reagan’s acting career was at its height when the United States entered World War Two and as a member of the Reserves he was not eligible for the draft since it was only a matter of time before he would be called to active duty. This occurred in April of 1942. Activation subjected Reagan to a more stringent physical examination than the Reserves and his eyesight proved bad enough to prevent his service overseas. Many of Reagan’s critics imply that somehow he managed to avoid being sent overseas during the war but this is either due to ignorance of how the Army actually operates or outright vindictiveness. The Army decides what they need you to do and where they want you and there you go."ｻ Blog Archive ｻ Two for the Gipper Posted by gerardvanderleun at May 13, 2014 11:57 PM
That last sentence is true, at least in 1974 it was. I was paid a bonus of $2500. to work as a demo specialist at Fort Bragg for at least 36 months. However, when I finished my training I was sent to Wildflecken, Germany for 37 months instead. As a soldier you are piece of the larger puzzle and most likely Reagan was no exception.
LIEberal version:
"Don't hate the hater, hate the hate."
ghostsniper version:
"Gut the hater and the hate disappears."
Career officers, as I was, could have consultations about their assignments, but not negotiations. There's a difference.
Posted by: Donald Sensing at May 14, 2014 5:52 AMSensing nailed it. You can volunteer for what you want as often as you want, and sometimes get it, but don't try to wriggle out of one you don't want. Even hardship cases mark you for life. Resign if you can't handle the military way. ('53-'75)
Posted by: BillH at May 14, 2014 7:03 AMStraighten that cover, Lieutenant! Think you're a movie star or something, soldier?
Posted by: twolaneflash at May 14, 2014 8:41 AMIt says too much about a society that has an Army that refuses to accept 4 out of 5 applicants because they cannot meet the standards.
It's not the Army's problem. It is Society's problem.
Present IQ minimum is 92. The personal histories that will rule a candidate out are also highly related to that number.
Posted by: james wilson at May 14, 2014 9:46 AMThe last cavalry charge of the U.S. Army occured during the Battle of Bataan, on January 16, 1942. 1st Lieutenant Edwin Ramsey led the attack by elements of the 26th Mounted Cavalry Regiment. The charge was successful. Later, Ramsey refused to surrender and eventually trained and led a Philippines resistance army of 40,000 men. He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He died on March 7, 2013.
http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/leader-of-last-wwii-u-s-cavalry-charge-dies-he-was-hunted-down-by-the-imperial-japanese-army.html
Posted by: Lorne at May 14, 2014 10:34 AMMy vote's on vindictiveness.
Posted by: Sam L. at May 14, 2014 11:13 AMRonnie bought us 30 years. The Left will never forgive him.
Posted by: f1guyus at May 14, 2014 6:13 PMThe Wednesday after Pearl Harbor (Dad wasn't dumb enough to go to the recruiters on Monday) my 35 year old father with a trick knee, flat feet, and 20-400 vision in his left eye hit the Marines, rejected, the Navy, rejected, and the Army, rejected. So he joined the Texas National Guard. I'm so proud of his service I could bust. And if you weren't there STFU. You have no idea about our sacrifices. Even mine, Everything was rationed, we raised our own vegetables (I got to shell the peas) and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Posted by: f1guyus at May 14, 2014 6:29 PMYou can watch RR's famous and highly relevant campaign speech for Goldwater. It's 30 minutes and inspiring.
Not only do we need leaders like Reagan, we need citizens like the ones that elected Reagan. Remember George Will and Charles Krauthammer opposed Reagan. Washington Post columnist, Jennifer Rubin was busy working as a lawyer for the Hollywood entertainment industry and opposed Reagan. Don't let the people that missed the real Reagan steer you into their prescription to fix this country.
Posted by: Scott M at May 15, 2014 1:15 AMHere's a funny joke about Democrats told by Reagan.
Posted by: Scott M at May 15, 2014 1:28 AMThis is a somewhat serious question, and not meant to be snarky. How would Reagan have done without the Iron Lady of the West to support him?
BTW, Amanda Thatcher is a natural-born US citizen and will be old enough in 2028. There is hope...
Posted by: Fletcher Christian at May 15, 2014 11:35 AMWell, the honest truth of the matter was that Ron Reagan was acceptable for a reserve Calvary company, but without his eyeglasses (or contact lenses which he wore most of the time) he was legally blind.
So while he asked for overseas duty in a combat zone, he wasn't going to get it. If he would not have been in the Army in December 1941 and would have tried to enlist, he would have been classified as 4F as f1guyus described Dad.
HOME