Should Servicemen help with the President's "My Brother's Keeper Initiative"?

SPC Andrew Griffin - So, how can we connect the dot? Veterans and this program? They has to be a way.

COL Charles Williams - I believe it can be recommended that Local Reserve and National Guard Unit can hold a Sponsorship. Have some the Youth come in during the Drill Weekend and see what it is that we do. The Military can establish Outreach Functions within the Community. Community Affairs Events involving Cookouts along with Fun and Games.

SPC Andrew Griffin - Great idea. JROTC, which me new gig, and largely focused inner cities, has a similar focus and mission. I think veterans groups, the guard and reserve, and veterans support groups would want to link veterans who want to help with young folks who need mentors. The only concern, might be, a perception we are trying to make this a recruiting drive.

Perception maybe a problem. However, the way to KILL it is let it be known from the onset that we are establishing a "Leadership and Mentorship" Partnership. We are aiding the success of the OVERALL initiative.

SPC Andrew Griffin , I also have to agree with PO1 John Miller. A disenfranchised white boy kills 9 black people and he's immediately called racist because of his skin color, not "disadvantaged" or "at risk" or "more likely to be incarcerated" because of his social situation or ethnic background. Mentorship starts at home - reading to and with your children, helping them with homework and enforcing in them standards of conduct and discipline. IMHO, dividing us into groups based on race and ethnic backgrounds and implying that one group needs more help than another based solely on that criteria is what keeps hurting everyone.

There are single parent households, families on welfare, families with addiction problems, families with special needs children and families of affluence among all races and backgrounds. IMHO, how disadvantaged families choose to cope with and get help and pick themselves up, or not, is what separates them and nothing else. Where is this "less opportunity for education"? Every child in this country has access to public schools, adults have access to programs for GEDs and continuing Ed and all have access to colleges. My kids go to public schools and will have to take out large loans to go to college like most other people out there, regardless of race and ethnic background. I have had financial troubles, been on unemployment and out of work before and am not in the best financial situation now, but I'm out there doing what it takes to break even.

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca - Thank you for your Comment Sir. It was RICH and what you said has a lot of SUBSTANCE. Great Talking Points as well. I have to AGREE with much of what you said.

Thank you SPC Andrew Griffin, these are not easy issues to discuss and I try to appreciate everyone's view and situation in these matters. Until you walk a mile in any person's shoes. It's definitely not easy to pass judgment on or criticize them. All we can do is try to build a more tolerant society and do right by everyone, especially those in need.

Thank you. I concur Wholeheartedly!

Thank you for commenting Ben. But I am speaking more in a Philanthropist Perspective! I know how much of a positive effect the military had on men. Don't you think we as Veterans would have a positive affect on young brothers?

SPC Andrew Griffin - Totally agree! I think those of us that served can be great role models to younger men and women to look up to rather than some of the other "role models" out there. For many of us, our service took us out of a situation and placed us in a better one. It sure wasn't easy but I'm certain that you or any other service member that wants to get involved with this or any other program, you will find it both rewarding and humbling as well as leave an everlasting positive influence on the youth.