Letters to the editor

Asking hard questions

In the early ’70s, as a young college student relatively new to the Army, I wanted to be able to write a paper about the ARC’s rehabilitation programs, and quickly found out that while there was an underlying belief that they worked, there was little “proof” of that as far as program evaluation and outcome measurement.

I haven’t experienced much change in that (at least as far as corps work is concerned) in my nearly 25 years as an officer.

Are we afraid to ask the questions because of what the answers might be?

Perhaps the excuse is that we are too busy doing the work of the Kingdom to take the time (and resources) to effectively evaluate what we do. Perhaps, too, we are not ready to make the hard decisions that might come from having that information. When you speak of “mission” and “available re-sources” as criteria for program development, it has appeared that in recent years “mission” can sometimes be understood as “pet projects” of leaders on various levels, rather than an informed response to local needs. That can be a dangerous way to set program priorities.

JoAnn Shade, Major
Corps Officer
Canton, OH

Envoys – a dying breed?

It was interesting to read that, according to the latest survey in New Frontier (December 21), envoys no longer exist. We’ve been told that we are a “dying breed” and would eventually be phased out, but this is rather sudden notice!

Seriously, if there is to be a correction regarding the number of envoys serving in this territory in the New Frontier, you would do us all a favor by informing the public exactly what “Envoy” stands for. Since we are the only ones required to have the rank PRINTED on our epauletts, we are a constant target for questions regarding the meaning of the rank – not easy to explain. You try it – maybe you will come up with a simple one we can all use – or maybe that’s why it was omitted???

Envoy Marlene Jones
Murrieta Corps, Calif.

Remembering the Army

In the Christmas 2002 issue of New Frontier the promotion to Glory of Ellsworth (Ellie) Madsen was mentioned. He was a true servant of God.

When my parents were stationed at the Oakland 9th Street Corps, my Dad commissioned Ellie as CSM. The man who wrote the book Marching to Glory came in from one of the open-airs, and Ellie helped this man to come to know the Lord.

Then there was a story on the retirement of B/M Hazel Brown. My parents were also in Bellingham when she joined the band in l936; I was one year old at the time. My parents were stationed there in July of 1936, and my mother was one of the first officers to help Hazel play the cornet. When she came into the Army she played the trumpet.

Sonny West
Salem OR