<p>No offense but being in the military puts you all in the “glass bubble” and held to not only a higher standard but a view to the public at large. Sad, but true. </p>
<p>Your General has to now look into whether the 6% or whatever is on the increase or decrease. It is unfortunate that young people want to get drunk etc…and out of control and somehow feel they are immune from the disasterous consequences. All the briefings in the world seems to escape the 6% who continue to take risks that ultimately will be disasterous with the result that they will look back and think “what was I thinking???” The problem is they weren’t…they were being typical young invincibles etc. 6% of 4,000 is 240 cadets. Probably less of a population than other colleges…but other colleges are in the public view and are not “public figures” like in the military. One question is what are the 94% doing to help the 6% that exist and is putting themselves at risk? Peer pressure goes along way. It’s tough…I give you that. But are these, as you put it, your “wing men?” So when you or your friends are at a party drinking up…is anyone trying to set some sort of LIMIT? Or are you all going home afterwards breathing a sigh of relief that “yea, none of us did anything stupid” or “yea, nothing happened…I’m good to go.” Luck is one thing but if you are acting on “luck” it will run out. </p>
<p>It saddens me every time I read one of these stories. Some of it with the full knowledge of others or in the presence of others. What happened to “I will not tolerate…” I’m not trying to chastise you or the others…I merely point out something to consider FWIW. How many cadets ARE tolerating all sorts of inappropriate behavior? Turning the other cheek etc. It’s tough, I agree, to convert an 18 year old fresh out of public high school into this fish bowl, hyper vigilent individual who has virtually every freedom taken away. It’s rough. I agree. But that is YOUR reality. I hope the General can reduce the figure to 0, but she has a tough situation ahead of her.</p>