Issue Position: The Citizen Soldier

Issue Position

The backbone of national defense is the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces. It was the citizen soldier who won America's independence from England, and it is the citizen soldier of today who believes in America and is willing to risk life and limb to protect us. For this reason, we must ensure that military service is always considered a noble calling in America. This requires taking the best possible care of military personnel and their families, including providing them with excellent compensation and benefits, medical care, and the support services necessary to help our troops and their families cope with the challenges of military life. This also includes supporting them in their transition back to civilian life. Critically, it requires supporting them in combat situations by making sure that they have the best training and equipment possible. It also includes protecting the right of our military personnel to vote, even when they are in the field. Most importantly, it requires a Commander in Chief and a Congress which are decisive and never send American military personnel into harm's way without just cause, clear objectives, all necessary support, and a strategy and a will to win.

Maintenance of sufficient numbers of active duty and reserve personnel is essential.

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