At ties, their arrogance – learned at West Point – ill-served both their Army subordinates, as well ss their up-channel superiors.

Ask veterans of the battle for Lon Binh – before “the FIRST Tet” offensive in 1967. AT LEAST THOSE WHO WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED!

Company grade [captains and lieutenants] who were only recenty US Army West Point graduates hung maps ON SHEETS inside open tents – clearly depicting ammunition dumps at that forward outpost.

Viet Cong [VC] civilians – working at that base under Army contract – then paced off distances from outer perimeters to those ammo dumps!

Within minutes – literally – of the “close of business” that work day, VC mortors practically destroyed MOST of that Army base. IN ONE BATTLE!

Early warning was no-existent! SO WAS the US ARMY COMMON SENSE!

Over time, sole reliance on West Point graduates have been lessened – wisely during several presidential administrations — favoring, instead, Reserve officer corps – “One foot in active duty uniform – One foot in civilian life”!

THAT has served our Nation well, it seems.

“The [Revolutionary War] Minutemen” – in our U. S. History – form the historical precedent here.

Likewise, today’s military Reserve commissioned officers and NCOs are trained – and they have been, since the early 1960’s – to “be prepared to JUST SAY NO” to academy graduates serving in officer uniform — and have a good reason for doing so: Such as saving fellow soldiers, sailors & airmen’s lives!

Looking at the wire service photos of West Point cadets, during the President’s recent address on revisions & adjusted priorities of battle orders to the Afghanistan – Pakistan strategy — I DID NOT SEE the cadets reflect the “ordered enthusiasm”.

Rather, I SAW STEELY RESOLVE = perhaps, even some well-timed humility.

Arrogance seemed conspicuously missing.

And to that, may I finally opine – It’s about damned time, too!