Obama and Plummeting Military Morale

Obama and Plummeting Military Morale

Originally Posted by Candace de Russy

New Army surveys, reports the Wall Street Journal, show that morale has fallen sharply among soldiers fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan and confirm an unusually high suicide in their ranks.

Perhaps this has something to do with doubts about their commander-in-chief's commitment to win this war by standing staunchly with them in spirit and providing the necessary troop levels and other resources. With fatalities and injuries surging among them, the president's prolonged and frazzled indecision on how to wage this struggle must leave these soldiers with a sense of being cast adrift in limbo, if not hell itself. Having first, very belatedly, consulted directly on strategy with the man in charge of the war, General Stanley McChrystal, President Obama then proceeded for months to pore over, appear to accept, throw out, and then start all over examining, various options.

In an act of deep interpersonal significance, as Claudia Rosett observes, the president has not bothered to pay a visit to Afghanistan to bolster morale. Yet, to buck up his foreign policy credentials, he managed to make a campaign stop there while running for president. Once elected, he found time to extend a friendly hand to Muslims in Cairo, lobby for Chicago's Olympics bid, vacation in Martha's Vineyard, and have a "date night" in New York City with his wife. Soon he'll be off to Oslo to accept a Nobel Peace Prize, which he has done nothing yet to deserve, in Afghanistan, at home, or elsewhere in the world.

It could also have not done much to fortify our soldiers to learn of the president's obfuscations and omissions in his recent Fort Hood tribute to their slaughtered 13 comrades. He could not bring himself, as Michael Goodwin and others noted, to call the massacre what it clearly was: treason and terrorism, visited by an Army officer on his defenseless comrades. While failing to acknowledge that Nidal Malik Hasan had shouted, "Al lahu akbar" (God is great) as he fired his weapons, the president also commented, "No just and loving God looks upon them with favor." The president declared the nation to be "in a time of war," but then downgraded the killings to the level of a mere "tragedy." He alluded to 9/11, warning that "the same extremists who killed nearly 3,000 Americans continue to endanger America," but neglected to say that the same militant Islamism led to the recent slaughter. He was silent about the shooter's contacts with al Qaeda, but stated, "No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts."

Rosett urges the president to betake himself without further delay to Afghanistan and deliver "a soaring speech" to our troops, such as to "display for their benefit and the world's, that as commander-in-chief of these men and women who are risking their lives under his command, he is not AWOL."

But one wonders just how soaring such a message could possibly be, coming from one who cannot muster the leadership to decide how, and indeed if at all, to proceed on their battleground. So geared to mollify his leftist political base has this president's every action seemed so far in his tenure that our courageous soldiers have every reason to fear themselves but chess pieces in his long game of political calculation.

Can the hearts of our troops yet be touched by a commander-in-chief who has for so long failed to show his face, and left them alone, on the battleground? By now they, like many among us, must acknowledge that this is the same commander-in-chief who, during his bid for the presidency cynically - then, too, for rank political reasons -- trumpeted the war in Afghanistan to be the most "necessary" one in the fight against terrorism.

But, above all, the drag that this president exerts on our soldiers comes from his unwillingness even forthrightly to name the enemy with whom they are locked in deadly combat.

If President Obama's lack of leadership and alienation from our troops continue, he may go down in history as America's great demoralizer-in-chief. But, vastly more momentous than his place in history, his failure to lead this nation, and the world, during these hazardous times may well precipitate a series of crises that will plague us for generations.

[Dozer523]

You are a busy guy, Howard.
4 months, 241 posts, 29 (>10%) new threads.

Originally Posted by Dozer523

You are a busy guy, Howard.
4 months, 241 posts, 29 (>10%) new threads.

1. I hope my contributions have been up worth your time.
2. This forum has become one of my favorite places to hang out.
3. Job hunting is extremely stressful. The time I spend here helps provide balance.

[Paslode]

Interesting topic.


I see the news more troops killed or injured, which is followed by President Obama is looking at or waiting for proposals. And I believe the more he doddles, the more soldiers will be injured or killed. SO more and more I find myself thinking to myself to either give them the support they need, or bring them home.

From my civilian perspective it just appears those that serve are being left in limbo while our civilian leaders play their game of cards. I liken their behavior to the that scene in Platoon where Sgt. Elias being left in the clearing.

[ryno]

I think fear of making a mistake is paralyzing the man's decision-making abilities, if he has any. He does not want to lose the popularity contest that he does not realize he has already lost. A good leader has to be willing to lay his ass on the line and take responsibility if things go wrong. Alternatively, you could always just continually blame your predecessor for the problems you are too inept to handle.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by ryno

I think fear of making a mistake is paralyzing the man's decision-making abilities, if he has any. He does not want to lose the popularity contest that he does not realize he has already lost. A good leader has to be willing to lay his ass on the line and take responsibility if things go wrong. Alternatively, you could always just continually blame your predecessor for the problems you are too inept to handle.

You assume much.

My guess would be the teleprompter reader of the United States is clueless and is a mindless idiot. Fear hasn't got anything to do with it, he's too stupid to know fear.

I think the people of the United States have made a mistake of historic proportions and one we will not soon forget.
I feel a deep sorrow for my leaderless brothers in arms standing in harm's way for an administration/government/ country that doesn't give a shit. I have little doubt military morale is bad and will only get worse.

Soon our government will be bowing or surrendering to the Taliban.

Embrace socialism, it's on its way.

[orion5]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I feel a deep sorrow for my leaderless brothers in arms standing in harm's way for an administration/government/ country that doesn't give a shit. I have little doubt military morale is bad and will only get worse.

U.S. News & World Report came out with a list of "Americas Best Leaders 2009" (see link below). Out of a list of 21 individuals, which includes General Odierno, they also included the generic "Senior Noncommissioned Officers" as one of America's best leaders. Now granted, Ted Kennedy is also one of the 21, but I'm not going to let that distract me.

Team Sergeant's view is the most realistic one, but I find myself unable to accept it. I feel so helpless to do anything about changing it, other than my prayers. As I read what was written about Sr NCO's - as fighters and diplomats, creative and critical thinkers, and builders of trust - I saw my hope rests in these men, many on this forum, and what they stand for and what they're doing here in retirement or in active duty in the field.

I am encouraged that in the midst of the corporate CEOs and politicians being recognized as great leaders, someone in the mainstream media is able to recognize the impact of the Sr NCOs - folks that may determine whether we have a future economy or not.

It may end up that one day looking back, we realize the intellect and resolve of the military Sr NCOs is what drove our most significant national strategies and policies. That's my hope and $.02 anyway....

orion5


http://www.usnews.com/sections/news/...ers/index.html

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Embrace socialism, it's on its way.

Hopefully that doesn't happen and if it does hopefully it is not without a good fight.

[Box]

without a good fight?

There will be no fight: it will be subtle and slowly ushered in right under everyone's nose until mainstream Amerika wakes up one morning and realizes its too late.

...just my two cents.

[HOLLiS]

The sheep maybe trembling, the wolves are many and the sheep dogs are few, but take resolve never underestimate a sheep dog's abilities.

There is a lot of determination in just one sheep dog.

[Box]

the problem is that the "wolves" have become increasingly skilled at getting the sheep to believe that its the "sheep dog" who should be feared...

Look around the country: the sheep are not trembling that much any more, they dont think there is a need to tremble any longer. The wolves have brought hope to the sheep.
...the "wolves" dont need to win the fight, they need only convince the herd that sheep-dogs are no longer relevant

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by Billy L-bach

without a good fight?

There will be no fight: it will be subtle and slowly ushered in right under everyone's nose until mainstream Amerika wakes up one morning and realizes its too late.

...just my two cents.

hopefully it is not without a good fight

No, it is not looking good. But I still have a grain of optimism along with 3 tablespoons of pessimism.

[Guy]

I look no higher than General "O" for "military" leadership.

I gave up on most "civilians" inspiring me too do anything!

Stay safe.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Rangertab1

A whole herd will follow the lead right off the cliff.

Looks like the "majority" here in America is doing just that.....

[Richard]

MOO - but a problem as I see it is that with the Internet, the incessant and increasing stridency of the messages being received from both the wolves and the sheepdogs does little but overwhelm and confuse the sheeple to the point of typical ovine complacency.

Perhaps less frivolous 'barking' and a bit more serious 'biting' on the part of the sheepdogs might help reverse the trend.

And so it goes...

Richard's $.02