[War] US: ...Calls all young men and women...

[John Penta]

"...Calls all young men and women..."
17 July 2014
Pres. John Williams
USA
==============================
<Washington>

    The briefings done, SECDEF, POTUS, and the Service Secretaries
(including the Homeland Security Secretary to represent the Coast
Guard and Merchant Marine academies) gathered around lunch to argue
the conclusions.

    "Okay, first off...I like what I'm hearing, but for one problem.
Well, it's one big issue with a bunch of related issues." POTUS
started.

    "The recruitment base is narrowing." Secretary Abbot concluded.

     "Quit reading my mind, dammit. But yes." POTUS noted.

     "Suggestion: End principal nominations. Only admit the
qualified." SECARMY, a West Point grad, put forth.

     "I'd love to; could the academies handle the glut?"

      Vigorous nods.

      "At the same time...Okay, it's becoming increasingly clear to
me: The service academies have got to advertise." Pause. "I'll ask
Congress for the cash." POTUS looked grumpy as he said that.
"Similarly, how vote ye on ending the status of the Academy
Superintendents as terminal posts?"

      Glances among the secretaries. "Is that a good idea?" Asked
SECARMY. "It'd suck massively for there to be command influence on
Academy grading, for instance."

      "Is a lame duck Superintendent really a good idea? If there's
CI, I don't think it need be said that there would be heads rolling -
at Congress's instigation!" SECNAV put forth.

      "Gentlemen," SECDEF intervened, "We're not going to solve that
issue now. Table it."

      Nonetheless, the argument raged throughout lunch.
---
Actions:
1. Nudge Congress to enact provision in next Defense Authorization
Bill ending "principal nominations" at the service academies.
2. The academies will now advertise, like normal schools of national
prominence do. No clubbing the other services in your ads.
3. Debate begins whether to end the terminal-post nature of the
Academy Superintendent's post (which means that they have to retire
from said Service after holding that post).