About LDN

Letters to the Editor

Lincoln Daily News publishes letters to the editor as they are received.

The letters are not edited in content and do not necessarily reflect 
the views of Lincoln Daily News.

Lincoln Daily News requests that writers responding to controversial issues address the issue and refrain from personal attacks. Thank you!

.

Submit a letter to the editor online

You may also send your letters by e-mail to  ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com

or by U.S. postal mail:

Letters to the Editor
Lincoln Daily News
601 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL  62656

Letters must include the writer's name, telephone number, and postal address or e-mail address (we will not publish address or phone number information). Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to edit letters to reduce their size or to correct obvious errors. Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to reject any letter for any reason. Lincoln Daily News will publish as many acceptable letters as space allows.


Endorsement for military science program          Send a link to a friend

To the editor:

I am writing this letter to inform the community about the benefits of enrolling in college and taking military science courses. Military science is a four-year program that will help students achieve their goals and make them leaders for not only the community, but for our country. I have spent the last 22 years in the United States military and have grown personally and professionally from all of my experiences. I became an officer in the Army by participating in military science while I was in college.

As my twin daughters progress through high school and begin to look forward to attending college, I see many opportunities for them. Each year there are many students who cannot or will not enroll in college because they lack the financial ability to do so. Nearly 85 percent of students who are enrolled in military science at Eastern Illinois University compete for and receive scholarship benefits of some kind. There are federal scholarships that pay full tuition and all fees, or room and board. Additionally, there is a book allowance of $900 along with a monthly stipend. There are also scholarships supported by the Illinois General Assembly. These scholarships pay all tuition and limited fees and incur no military commitment. Each community college in the state has three transfer scholarships that are specifically designated for students who transfer from a community college to a four-year college and enroll in military science.

[to top of second column in this letter]

Parents and students alike have a misunderstanding of what is associated with military science. Many fear that by enrolling in military science that a commitment to the military is incurred. Not until the beginning of the junior year is a student asked to make a commitment to the military. Military science is an elective class that can be taken, just like any other, and if a student decides that military science is not for them, there is no obligation to sign up for another class. A student can participate in military science and decide that the military is not what they want to do with their life. Should one of my daughters decide to enroll military science and complete the program, she will have an accredited military science minor along with her chosen major.

I served as a company commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was responsible for 75 soldiers and millions of dollars of equipment. Thankfully all 75 of my soldiers and I came home safely. Although times were difficult, I drew upon the foundation of leadership that I built while I was enrolled in military science.

Sincerely,
Mark A. Woodsmall

(Posted July 13, 2005)

Click here to send a note to the editor about this letter.

Baker & Son Tree Service

Tree Trimming & Removal
Excellent Service & Cleanup
Free Estimates - Fully Insured

Phone: (217) 735-5066
Cell...: (217) 306-4397

Email: lbaker@lincolncollege.com

< Recent letters

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor