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

SPC Andrew Griffin — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:20:42 -0400

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 11:22 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:22:48 -0400

I haven't heard about this. Did you read it in an article or something?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 17 at 2015 11:24 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:24:53 -0400

While I'm not 100% up to speed on this initiative I think you are already seeing this within the Veterans' Community. I think what you are seeing are more Veterans starting for-profit companies to hire more Veterans and more Veterans starting Veteran Service Organizations in order to provide help to our brothers and sisters-in-arms. When I hear 'My brother's keeper' used, I think back to what I say a lot when I'm talking to the public; if we as Veterans aren't willing to help each other out how can we expect others to step up and do it?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 17 at 2015 11:25 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:25:58 -0400

Call me racist but no. I believe this program is discriminatory. It is specifically "for boys and young men of color."
Shouldn't children and young adults of all genders and ethnic backgrounds be afforded the same opportunities?
http://mbk.ed.gov/

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 17 at 2015 11:37 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:37:55 -0400

I was not really aware of it. It sounds like a good program. I think you/we - servicemen - should help with anything you are passionate about SPC Andrew Griffin . There are a myriad of support groups around the nation, that provide essential services and support to many. They all need help. I think people need to help with groups they want to help with. I hope this will get at some of the huge issues we with violence and crime in our cities.
I am not really in favor of any group that that is not open to everyone - I believe they perpetuate divisiveness. But, I suspect my opinion is shortsighted. As a young white guy from Newark NJ, son of single mom, I could have used some help too. I am not sure groups like this, the congressional black caucus, Rocks, the NAACP etc. are helping with equality, equity, and bringing us all together, if that is goal. I often wondered what people would think I started a group to support young white men, or white officers, or white people. That probably would not be well received. I am being somewhat flippant with that last comment.
That said, I have never walked in those shoes, so I understand my perspective is that of an outsider just trying to understand.
If this helps, than hooah. If military veterans could help, than we need to find away to connect this with veterans programs. I think veterans, could be a huge help to this.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jul 17 at 2015 12:25 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:25:02 -0400

SGT, I think it could be a wonderful program as long as there are those like yourself that want to do it. Want is the operative word here. You seem to genuinely care about the welfare of others (which is one of the best traits in a good NCO), you can succeed. Where this could go bad is the bureaucratic red tape. You see it in many programs that are designed to help (Social Security, VA benefits, and many more), but the tape kills the chances of it really succeeding. Another drawdown is when people get complacent and callous. You see this a LOT whenever you call the VA (there are exceptions I know), and get someone on the phone who is basically looking at the clock and could care less about you. Servicemen want to help when there's a need. It's in our blood and DNA, but they shouldn't be forced/cohered/or strong armed into this. There's a genuine need, but like was said below, while this is a focus on stopping a trend of recidivism that is seen in communities of color, it needs to expand and include all. Jails and prisons don't know color; it knows inmates, guards, and most of all money. Let's focus on the root causes, spend the time to fix them where we can (can't save everyone), and lend a hand to those who have made mistakes but want to get to a new point in life where those mistakes are in the past. Personally I believe troops of all services could/would be excellent mentors. How many of us here had looked at a Soldier or whatever and said “I want to be like that”? We need tomorrow to be better, more inclusive than today, and the children are at the heart of change.