As a military girlfriend I feel a special connection with the death of Leah King. I send my condolences out to her friends and family. This incident has exposed Ft. Lewis and its many flaws. However I don't want to focus on those since everyone has their thought and opinions on the matter.
I would like to however share a different side to the story.
I got real passionate about this subject because my dad brought it up trying to say that the soldiers were predators picking up on sixteen year olds. I wasn't sixteen too long ago, and I remember the crazy thoughts and emotions running through my blood. I didn't always think my actions would have consequences. I was invincible. Sixteen is the age of freedom and rebelling. Although what I did wasn't always the right thing, I loved that adrenaline rush of almost getting caught. Soldiers can't be blamed for young girls wanting to have fun.
Ever since I started dating AJ, I have learned a whole lot about the army and its regulations. We started dating when I was 16, so legally I was allowed on base but not in the barracks. AJ is a good guy, and takes his job seriously, so the subject of him sneaking me in was never brought up. Him and his friends are such good guys that it just makes my stomach turn to even think of them as being predatory. Honestly, they are young guys just wanting to get the best out of life before they deploy.
People don't realize how young these men are. Although they may be drinking and partying, well they're doing what any 20 year old would do. But they're soldiers people argue. They're also people. Young people at that. Men who would be drinking and partying at college right now if they hadn't joined the military. I'm not saying it's okay and that some actions should go unpunished. But what I am saying is that accidents are going to happen anywhere you go, whether it be on a military base, a college campus, or a bar.
So for them to blame the soldiers for this death is really inaccurate. This girl was young, and simply it was an accident.
-Ashley Kahn
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2 comments:
Ashley you always have another side to everything, that's what I miss most about you.
lunch.
space me :]
I agree that the soldiers shouldn't be to blame, to an extent. I know what it was like being sixteen. Like you stated, you want to rebel and think you know everything. At the same time, though, those soldiers knew that underage girls weren't allowed in the barracks. They not only let them in, but went a step further and added drugs into the mix.
I never went on base when I was underage, and after turning 18 I did have my share of hanging out in the barracks and breaking rules like staying past the time allowed to be in the barracks. Bottom line: The barracks need to be better regulated. Drugs, alcohol, underage sex..it all happens. It's sad that an incident like this had to happen to expose what goes on, but I think it's for the best.
The soldiers shouldn't solely be responsible. The girls need to be held responsible also. Being young and wanting to rebel doesn't mean you have to be stupid about the decisions you make.
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