In the profession of arms, the professionals must endure many hardships including hard training, separation from families, the horrors of war, and the never-ending peacetime social experiment that the military is. Those of us who reenlisted for more than one tour, mentored our juniors, provided good judgement and wisdom to our seniors, advanced in rank, and finally regarded our service as our home, we took the best care of our service that we could. The very best care, regardless of social change the Commander in Chief ordered.
Almost thirty years prior to me stepping onto the yellow footprints at Parris Island, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981: Desegregation of the Armed Forces (1948). I wonder what the public and 2.5 million former WWII servicemen thought of that? I bet there were many who were outraged with that social change ordered by the Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces. But Commanders in Chief can do such things. Thirty years later I was introduced to the concept of Light Green Marines and Dark Green Marines. During my 21 years of service I learned to judge others by their character and actions, not by race, sex, age, or social status such as rich or poor, or officer or enlisted.
During my service we integrated women into combat. Us men found out that most did a great job! I’ve had trusted colleagues praise female pilots, and the ladies who manned the gun on MRAPs. The female gunners were very deadly! Personally, I am still a caveman who respects and protects females, but I have no problem working for one. I will however be the first to step between her and adversity. That’s just who I am.
There was also the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy concerning homosexuals in the service. That was hard to endure but as leaders we had to implement it the best we could. Come to find out there where damn fine Marines and other service personnel who had served alongside us in good times and bad who that we discovered were gay. Damn, it was hard to believe! I still close my eyes if two men kiss in a movie but otherwise I figure its none of my business. I just don't want it in my face...
Now our service men and women must endure a Commander in Chief who caters to the far left “anything goes” voters. Please do not think that those service people are not conservative. Some are and some aren’t, much the same as when I served. Then, like I suspect now, all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines serve to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We take that very seriously!
As a Colonel, Jim Mattis sat next to me at the bar in the Twentynine Palms Officer’s club. “Well Captain, tell me what are your greatest challenges?” he asked. In his eyes I saw the cold-blooded killer which is much rarer than one might think. We conversed over a beer and then he moved on. Later, General Mattis wasn’t selected as the Marine Corps Commandant. No sir, that is a very political position and Mattis is a killer. Any Service Chief must not only ensure their service is ready for war in all aspects, they must play politics enough to keep the funding flowing. Lieutenant General Louis B. “Chesty” Puller likewise wasn’t selected for Commandant. Had he lived, nor would General George Patton had been the Army Chief of Staff. Just like maneuver warfare, a commander must know which battles to fight.
Maybe we should all try walking a mile in another’s shoes before we judge them? Criticizing those walking the Service Chief tightrope isn’t what’s needed. They didn’t quit when things got rough. I think most if not all are doing all they can to protect their service and this country. As citizens, we should help them fight the battle against insanity by writing our U.S. Representative and Senators. Be loud, often! While the President is and will always be the Commander in Chief, Congress controls all Government funding.