Rachel Faber Machacha’s column displays a lack of understanding towards the U.S. military and the sacrifices of military men and women.

There are several reasons why we could not get involved in Africa in 1994. At the time the United States was engaged in peacemaking in the Middle East and the breakup of the former Republic of Yugoslavia.

There were also several budget cuts to the U.S. military as they were sent to more conflicts worldwide.

Our military had been stretched to its limit with the lowest numbers of enlisted men in about 40 years.

The Pentagon knew about the Rwanda genocide but realized that a sortie into Rwanda would rapidly evolve into something similar to a Vietnam War scenario.

Since the military was low on enlisted men, young American boys would be drafted and sent to quick training camps then sent into hostile enemy territory with no experience with a vague objective.

Another point to consider: Could any regular army guy distinguish between the Hutu and Tutsi groups?

Both native tribes are African and speak the same language; could anybody who had never been there tell the difference?

The consequences of this little sortie would be massive troop losses and mental scarring of young American men.

So Rachel, before you say anything, consider how you would like living in a Vietnam War scenario.

Case Everett

Sophomore

Biochemistry and Pre-medicine