I am writing in response to “Medals given like lollipops” (letter, March 26). Being an enlisted man myself I know how the writer feels and, as I was coming up through the ranks, I felt the same way until I was promoted.

Oftentimes the junior enlisted personnel do not see the big picture. Before that senior officer and senior enlisted person became who he is today, he too walked the lines and stood at the point of the formation on guard and ready for whatever. Now the decisions that the senior folks make could determine if many live or die, not just one or two. With that, the realm of responsibility is greater than that of the young specialist.

Sgt. Maj. Eugene Murphy (retired)Ali Al Salem, Kuwait