The lack of respect for professional military men in American society before WW2 was what caused the U.S. military in WW2 to be 'an army of inexperienced volunteers led by a core of professionals'.
The U.K. and other Allies were amazed at how much the U.S. military expanded under this type of program and how fast and smooth said expansion went (remember - most European Nations have a long professional military tradition). But when this expansion met with some problems (due to losses of 'core professional personnel', and no 'career professionals' around to fill in for those losses) the U.S. military suffered a disproportionately high # of casualties - especially in ground combat in NWE.
So, in short - the lack of respect for professional/career military men in U.S. society before WW2 actually led to higher U.S. losses. There's a lesson to be learned there, but the U.S. has a habit of forgetting hard earned lessons 'until the next disaster hits'.
For a good account of this, read 'Proud Legions' by T.R. Fehrnbach (some of Fehrnbach's writings are required reading for all potential flag rank officers in the U.S. military if memory serves).
(During World War II, Mr. Fehrenbach served with the U.S. Infantry and Engineers as Platoon Sergeant with the 3189th Engineer Battalion. He continued his military career in the Korean War, rising from Platoon Leader to Company Commander and then to Battalion Staff Officer of the 72nd Tank battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. He is currently a Major, Armor USAR. Previous to his military involvement, a young T.R. Fehrenbach, born in San Benito Texas, worked as a farmer and the owner of an insurance company. He now devotes his time to free-lance writing. He has sold numerous pieces to publications such as the Saturday Evening Post and Argosy. He is the author of several books, including U.S. Marines in Action, The Battle of Anzio, and This Kind of War. Mr. Fehrenbach still lives in Texas.)
Mike/wulfie
