Posted by
Reeson on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 8:23:12 AM
The Los Angeles Times ran an article this morning about active duty military personnel appearing on Capitol Hill yesterday in opposition to the war in Iraq. Sergeant Liam Madden was quoted as saying, "We will not be silent while thousands die."
I'll say right up fron that I am an officer in the United States Army, so readers of this blog will know where I am coming from before taking shots.
These guys want to stop President Bush's surge strategy and find a way to start bringing home our troops. It is my belief that not only are they wrong, but they should immediately be separated from their respective military services.
As uniformed personnel we are held to a different standard. Once we sign up, it is not our place to question every change in strategy put forth by our chain of command, especially when the changes involve the Commander-in-Chief. Their actions are prejudicial to good order and discipline, essential elements of any professional military force.
This is a volunteer Army, or Navy, or Marine Corps, or whichever you choose. You are free to leave if you cannot perform your duties. And the members of Congress who encourage these actions are just as much at fault. When you put on that uniform, you are no longer an ordinary citizen. You give up some rights. You know that when you enlist.
It is simply unacceptable for these military personnel to conduct themselves the way they are. They don't have a problem cashing their paychecks, but then don't want to do what their country has told them from the beginning they may have to do. We have civilian leadership of the military for a reason and these service members are out of line.
If they won't separate themselves from service, then the respective branches should do it for them. This reminds me of something a drill sergeant told me many years ago when I was in basic training:
"We're here to preserve democracy, son, not practice it."