Global warming not a threat to our military

To the editor:

Regarding the June 12 letter 'Climate change poses threat to security”:

I disagree that the weather is a threat to our military. Before I start I should explain that I served 27 years in the service to our country on active duty and in the Iowa National Guard and Army reserve as an officer.

President Barack Obama stated that 'It will shape how every one of our services plan, operate, train, equip, and protect their infrastructure, their capabilities, today and for the long term.” Our readiness is not determined by the weather. Our readiness is determined by training, updated equipment, and leadership. Since the announcement of 'global warming,” I haven't seen any media coverage that starts with 'Today there were (you pick a number) soldiers killed by global warming.” Not one, zero.

Our soldiers have fought in the harshest of winters, the Battle of the Bulge, World War II, securing the Yalu River in Korea in 1950, the monsoons of Vietnam, and the heat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Old Guard that protect the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 24/7, 365 days a year. When it rains some soldiers call it a shower, and when the sun comes out they call it dry cleaning. Future leaders don't need to worry about global warming when it comes down to life and death situations; they have enough on their minds with IED's and Taliban.

Jim Sorensen

Marion