Stephan:   Through much of the 1970s I was the special assistant to the chief of naval operations, and my job was largely about helping design, and explain to the world how the elitist conscription military of the Viet Nam era was being transformed into an all-volunteer meritocracy where merit, not race, religion, gender, or wealth would determine promotion through the ranks. Colin Powell was one example of those new policies and the promotion of Lt. General Laura Richardson is another. This is good news.