View Full Version : Green Berets Have Lost Faith in Political Leadership
Timely article that touches on points in several current threads.
Green Berets have growing doubts of duties with skittish political leadership
“It would seem the lives and careers of Green Berets who would dare to see the organization’s motto realized on foreign soil are sacrificed for politics and careerism,” the Afghanistan War veteran told The Times. “As we witness continual displays of failure after failure in military leadership, our collective failure to liberate the oppressed in Iraq and Afghanistan should confuse no longer.”
Link (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/30/green-berets-have-growing-doubts-of-duties-with-sk/)
Team Sergeant
08-30-2015, 20:25
Timely article that touches on points in several current threads.
Green Berets Have Lost Faith in Political Leadership
LOL, yeah, that may have happened about 8 years ago..........
Good article...hope D Hunter can save Maitland.
Green Berets Have Lost Faith in Political Leadership
LOL, yeah, that may have happened about 8 years ago..........
Yes.
I don't remember a time when it was common for Soldiers to have faith in political leadership. My only faith is that politicians would sacrifice every one of us for less than a relevant noble cause.
Politicians start wars because they have FAILED at diplomacy.
Soldiers have to WIN those wars so that those same politicians can demonstrate strength...
How does anyone have TRUE faith in the men that administer that process?
There is very little about politicians that instills faith. Instead, my faith rests with the Constitution of the United States.
In fact...
"I, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same"
...nothing about politicians in there. I swore to "obey" the president, but there is no mention of showing "faith"
etc etc etc...
How does anyone have TRUE faith in the men that administer that process? There is very little about politicians that instills faith. Instead, my faith rests with the Constitution of the United States.
In fact...
"I, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same"
...nothing about politicians in there. I swore to "obey" the president, but there is no mention of showing "faith"
Faith that they will adhere to their oath of office.
Congressional Oath of Office
“I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Source (http://history.house.gov/Institution/Origins-Development/Oath-of-Office/) or,
5 U.S. Code § 3331 - Oath of office (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3331)
Trapper John
08-31-2015, 07:22
Timely article that touches on points in several current threads.
Good summary! Thanks for posting. DOL
Eagle5US
08-31-2015, 12:38
The real test comes when we must fight, and win, those wars with the political restraints placed upon us vs. allowing us to wage true war on the ideology of the enemy.
When OUR leadership succumbs to their "rules and requirements", the butts placed in the sling are no longer theirs...but ours.:rolleyes:
SouthernDZ
09-01-2015, 07:15
The real test comes when we must fight, and win, those wars with the political restraints placed upon us vs. allowing us to wage true war on the ideology of the enemy.
When OUR leadership succumbs to their "rules and requirements", the butts placed in the sling are no longer theirs...but ours.:rolleyes:
Those who 'abjure' violence can do so only because others are committing violence on their behalf. -- George Orwell
What I think the article does a good job of highlighting is the loss in faith in our own senior military leaders, not necessarily the political leadership. Hell the only quote I saw in here from a politician was somewhat supportive. The examples given really highlight the politicization of our own CoC and our subsequent lack of faith in their willingness to go to bat for guys and support ground level efforts.
Moreover I dont think it is limited to flag officer levels either but that the problem is starting to make its way down to lower echelons.
I agree with D08, in general.
Of course, maybe I read it wrong and they're getting ready to set aside a section of the Gitmo facility and rename it the LBJ (Long Binh Jail).
Richard
mark46th
09-02-2015, 08:00
Generals are political animals. They will do what is necessary to protect themselves and their promotions.
Politicians will sacrifice any shred of courage, decency, honor and/or any shred of common sense to get re-elected...
The Reaper
09-02-2015, 10:45
Politicians will sacrifice any shred of courage, decency, honor and/or any shred of common sense to get re-elected...
Correct.
The Republicans in Congress are more concerned with re-election and keeping their snouts in the trough than doing the jobs they were elected to do.
McConnell and Boehner have to go for conservatism (or even mainstream political action) to proceed.
TR