2LT Teddy Pataki, USMC, controversial start to career

You can tell that the United States Marine Corps was quite proud that New York Governor George Pataki's son Teddy was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant last month. Their press release told the whole story. MAR 2010: Updated link.

I'm impressed. He seems like a fine young man, a natural leader of men, football player, fraternity president at Yale, etc. 'Just the kind of young officer we want leading our young Marines in Iraq.

Then I got to the last paragraph. At age 22, in the prime of life, he plans to defer the real Marine experience to go to Law School? That's part of the deal, I'm told (see comments), but he really should reconsider.

Yes, I know that the Marines will need new lawyers in a few years, etc. But don't you think that 2LT Pataki would have a lot more credibility as a military lawyer with a tour on the ground leading Marines under his belt? OCS Quantico may be tough, but not as tough as Iraq.

His father's political support for the war is not relevant, because 2LT Teddy Pataki is his own man. Teddy: We know it's the deal you signed up for, and that you're not getting paid or anything as part of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). But please consider your country's current needs. Law school will still be there.

You may not be an elephant, and I, for one, know you're not yellow. We are still impressed by your commitment to your country just by your signing up under the PLC-JAG program which allows you to defer your service to go to law school. But you can still make your own decision. Thank you.

Note to media: Look at the press release. 2LT Pataki is a public figure and is even old enough to drink. He can make his own decisions. He'll do the right thing.