Less than one percent of the American population makes up today’s military.
For the majority of us when we talk about boots on the ground, about surges, and war casualties, homeless veterans and PTSD--it can all seem very abstract. Iraq war veteran Congressman Seth Moulton is aiming to change that with a first-of-its-kind veterans town hall. Its purpose is to establish greater understanding between local veterans and the people who they serve.
This gap of course is also reflected in today's presidential race. With the exception of Lindsey Graham there are no people with military experience running for the presidency. Jim Braude asked Congressman Moulton if it concerned him.
"Well I certainly don't think it should be a litmus test for the presidency but on the other hand we face so many challenges across the globe today with American troops still in the longest war in our history in Afghanistan; the president's decision to send troops back into Iraq just five years after he pulled them out, and now the president is sending troops into Syria. It really means something to have the perspective of veterans in the leadership of our country."
Congressman Moulton went on to point out that he is among just a handful of veterans in Congress. In fact fewer veterans are serving in Congress than ever before.
To hear Congressman Moulton talk about how this ratio affects getting things done in Washington, what it would mean to bring back the draft, and his thoughts on integrating women into the infantry tune in to Boston Public Radio above.
