Editor:

I am a Utah alumnus and was visiting campus when I saw your story about the anti-military rally held the previous day. One of the “peace activists” was quoted as saying that “many people join the armed forces under the notion they will ‘see the world and get an education’ . . . and that’s bulls***.”

I was a student at the U during the Vietnam War when the student deferments ended. The only way to complete my education was to join the ROTC.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, I served two years as a space systems software designer in Colorado before being sent back to the U to attend law school for three years on an Air Force scholarship. Five years later, the JAG Department supported my studies for an advanced degree in environmental law at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

I served three years in Tokyo, three in Washington, D.C., five in Omaha, Neb., and four in San Francisco. My work also took me to most of the 50 states, plus Korea and Guam. I have used my veterans education benefits for study toward a master’s degree in business administration.

One of my sons became a nurse through schooling in the Army. My son-in-law was trained as a computer programmer in the Air Force and is pursuing a college degree with its financial support.

In short, the “peace activist” doesn’t know the most basic facts about the U.S. armed forces. May I suggest this makes her opinion on the Iraq war extremely unreliable as well.

Raymond Takashi SwensonLt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)JD, LLM Environmental Law