A heart-warming story (Herald, Aug. 21) about two gals lost in the forest in their third semester of life were saved by the military, asks a question to all of us: Why can’t our troops discontinue combat training, or at least limit the brain-washing of the young fresh out of high school for going to war, and be useful in other ways?

There would be fewer body bags, severed limbs and civilian casualties, and post-traumatic stress disorder and ISIS would not be issues.

Sally Florence

Durango