When Barack Obama proudly announced in 2008 that he would “fundamentally change the United States of America,” it was a warning shot across the bow of the U.S. military, its culture, and the men and women who bravely serve every day. Donald Trump’s election to office offered a reprieve, a reenergization, and renewed pride for our servicemembers. Sadly, for our troops and our national security, Joe Biden has assumed Obama’s mantle and is rapidly, and intentionally, eliminating our military readiness and capability. I witnessed the birth of this “dereliction of duty” in my years in the Clinton White House. It’s true, Democrats are at war with the traditional culture of our military which has been, in the past, deeply grounded not only in effective war-fighting doctrine, but in traditional virtues – such as courage, duty, honor, and patriotism – and Judeo-Christian principles.
Biden, in fact, is trying to rule along New Left lines set by his Democrat predecessor. This is most likely because he is using the tactics of Saul Alinsky (a community organizer). Biden/Obama’s culture war with the American military is being conducted on several fronts including notions of “diversity,” “vaccine requirements,” and “green power.” The victims? You, the national defense of our 3.1million servicemen and woman. Radicals like AOC and RashidaTlaib may feel happy while IlhanOmar and Ilhan Amar are unhappy for our servicemen and women who work in nuclear submarines, foxholes, and cockpits.
Let’s be clear: our nation’s military has a single core mission—win wars and defend our homeland. Since almost 250 years, our military has worked hard to develop and preserve its rich culture. My 20-year service as an Air Force pilot in the Air Force was very rewarding. I saw combat in 69 countries and also served our country. Everyone who has served will attest to the importance of trusting, loyalty, unity, and cooperation. These elements are essential for success in battles and on the oceans.
Anything, absolutely anything, that undermines those requirements should be identified and removed, less we lose our soldiers in combat and our nation’s wars. This is the clarion cry. The push for “diversity” in a force that doesn’t require it destroys the trust necessary in military units. Today’s culture war on our military is taking its toll, and we’re destined to never winning a war again.
I didn’t witness any racial/gender incidents during my time in uniform as both a pilot and a commander. It turns out that bullets fly and nobody really cares about race, gender, or ethnicity. Yet, under the tutelage and control of the left, we have created the Department of Defense “Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).” DEI is simply a synonym for Critical Race Theory (CRT) and “inclusion” is lib-speak for equality of outcomes, and the US military is embracing it with open arms. We bid farewell to a meritocratic military service.
At the United States Air Force Academy, where I’m a former commander, a professor boasted about teaching CRT, a required briefing to incoming West Point cadets included a section dedicated to “white privilege,” and an active duty Air Force Lieutenant Colonel was fired from command for penning a book that discussed the indoctrination in his unit and his service.
These are only a few examples of the progressive radicalism that is invading our ranks. Here’s another, recently Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA03), chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee introduced the Military Vehicle Electrification Act (H.R. 7379).
The New Green Deal is the focus of this bill, and it has nothing whatsoever to do about readiness. Does this enhance our military’s effectiveness? If you don’t want to see Priuses in the desert, searching for recharging station.
This radical change to the core military mission has led to an early exit for some of our finest and most highly skilled professional (voting with your feet) as well as a recruitment void which could lead directly into disaster. The special operations and pilots have moved to better, traditional places. While the Army, Navy and Marine Corps offer enormous enlistment bonus and are still unable meet the required personnel numbers, they continue to be generous. Turns out Americans who are considering serving this nation don’t want to work for Biden, Pelosi, Schumer and AOC. They can’t blame us.
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