Sanford joined the Reserves two months before he became a candidate for governor. Sanford's service as governor and citizen soldier was challenged by Edward Sloan Jr., a retired businessman and self-described government watchdog who said the constitution allows the state's top officer to serve in and command only a state militia. In its five-page ruling dismissing Sloan's challenge, the Supreme Court said the Reserve could be considered a component of the state militia.
That the governor feels an obligation to serve is commendable. In essence, he says that people in lofty places have an obligation to serve their country just as other men and women do. It is a strong statement in a state that has a rich sense of military obligation. After Monday's ruling the governor said that he is a father and family man first, governor second and then a reservist.
Last year, before embarking on his training, Sanford outlined his reasons for serving in a letter to the lieutenant governor: "I believe É this is consistent with who I am as a person. I've always done what I said I would do. I also think it's about being a dad. I've said from the beginning that I did this because, on a personal level, I wanted to signal to my boys the importance of duty and the fact that there is a real disconnect in our country between the rights and the responsibilities that go with being an American. I also believe this is consistent with the concept of servant leadership. I have a much bigger responsibility now as governor of South Carolina than I did when I began this process but ultimately, the essence of servant leadership is being available not when you think the time is best -- but when you are called."
The governor serves in the Reserve's 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, where he is in line for promotion to captain. About 40 percent of the 315th Wing has been called to active duty during the past year, but Sanford has not been among them.
The governor's willingness to serve, his honorable intentions and the dual commission holding have never been a concern here. As was said here last year, the concern is that the governor serves an important function for South Carolinians, too. The chief executive officer of a state shouldn't serve during a conflict, just as a reservist member of Congress wouldn't be activated.
Last month he served the S.C. General Assembly with the most well-researched and detailed budget a chief executive has ever provided. In his State of the State address a few weeks ago, the governor outlined his vision for the state, including the challenge of following through with restructuring state government, tax reforms and a number of other outlets.
The hope is that he maintains the order of his priorities outlined in a press release on Monday -- father, governor, reservist. He has the correct sense of the rights and the responsibilities that go with being an American, but he also has an obligation to South Carolinians.