[June 11, 2020] When the U.S. Army does something crazy, expect Army Vet to be there and call them out for it. He’s done it before (just search my blog under “Army Vet”) and he does it again today. The U.S. Army, and shortly other services, will be renaming their bases because many are named after Confederate Generals from the U.S. Civil War. Army Vet says they are CRAZY for using political correctness ideology and doing so to advance their personal careers.
I love American more than any other country and for that reason I insist on criticizing our military relentlessly and mercilessly but with affection in my heart. The Army of today has no place for moral courage. When Army leaders lose their moral courage to do what is right in the face of a feel-good political agenda or some currently fashionable idea, they have embraced a way forward that destroys our fighting strength and puts our soldiers and America at an unacceptable risk. Sadly, they know there will be negative repercussions for their actions. Our soldiers become cannon fodder to be thrown away. This is the very definition of moral cowardice.
Long ago I read about foot soldiers running away during battles of the Civil War. Our leaders are doing the same but are praised for their ‘insights’ and ‘compassion.’ Here is my message to Army leaders … put on your big-boy pants, and focus on what makes our Army the best it can be. I know you don’t care about losing the respect of those who serve because your career is not based upon the little people. But, please show some balls for a change. Sheesh!
Late last night, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my former Sergeants Majors, one who spent more than a decade total in combat from Korea to Vietnam. We discussed the many things he now sees in today’s army and what has been his biggest fear about our Army’s senior leaders. He calls them the parade deck Army. This old NCO told me that today’s leader is more concerned with navigating the bureaucracy than learning field craft, combat tactics, gaining leadership experience with other soldiers, and simple person-to-person social skills. Those junior soldiers have been forgotten or completely disregarded.
We spoke about how senior Army leaders no longer look at combat from the junior NCO approach and instead make decisions based on what best reflects upon themselves and their senior commanders. Now they preach a path of political correctness in order to obtain promotion; checking assignment boxes, ignoring unit or leader deficiencies, following an ever-shifting program because to do anything else means death to their career.
This is the new parade deck Army, where administrative formations are held and soldiers march in step and where the value of a unit is judged on the amount of on-line courses its men have completed. Lessons from the last two wars of the war on terrorism are being erased and replaced with gobbledygook field manuals written by someone who has never set foot in a combat zone.
The old PC thinking was at one time ridiculed and largely ignored. This is, sadly, no longer the case. Politically correct ideology is our peacetime Army where there is no room for camouflage paint, in-depth battle studies, and learning about how to avoid booby-traps, mines, and enemy ambushes. In the new Army there is only room for yes-men who will do anything to preserve their own retirement and win medals.
Moral courage is lost in today’s army and this comes from the top; Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy. Army generals are becoming more and more like the ‘wussies’ joining the U.S. Army with their mental breaks, freak-outs, and do-nothing careers. Like I always say, what the hell is going on? We need our Army to be a kick-ass organization; one that can close with the enemy to crush them like a cockroach.
This whole thing is so stupid that I disbelieved it at first that our nation’s most important men that oversee the military would even entertain such an idea. How ignorant of our past. They don’t even know why the bases were named as they are. Maybe we can rename our M1A3 main battle tanks, the Messy Kids Playtoy.
Funny Jonathan.
And now Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, apologizes for participating in Trump’s photo op at St John’s Church that had been attacked by “protesters.” What a MORON. Gen. Milley, do you have the whacko bug in you or is something wrong with your judgment. If I were your boss, you would be fired.
This is just another example of the PC culture catching up with today’s peace generals. And I thought Navy officers were wimps. Sheesh.
U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy is open to renaming military bases named after Confederate generals, an issue getting increased attention in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racism following the death of George Floyd. What a dumbass Army Sec McCarthy has shown himself to be. He just lost all the respect of our Soldiers.
Right on target, Army Cpt. Ryan McCarthy should step down just so he doesn’t embarrass American any more.
Great article. Thanks Army Vet for your unvarnished opinion. I’m perfectly in line with you as is most of us real Americans.
Even those who would disagree with the sentiment of Army Vet, should be aware that it is not their place to get in the way of our army or other military services. The names of the bases of Confederate generals has nothing to do with insulting African Americans. Like naming helicopters after Amer. Indians. Those who suggest otherwise really do need to get a life (probably also need to get a real job too).
Yes, unvarnished truth. We all need that sometimes to shock us back into reality.
Wow, Army Vet, you nailed this one. I heard about the controversy but heard in the news that Pres Trump rejected calls to rename military bases honoring Confederate generals. Is he the only real man in his admistration. Kick SECDEF Esper in the seat of his pants and hope he doesn’t wet them.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-rejects-calls-to-rename-military-bases-honoring-confederate-generals/2020/06/10/78a06122-ab53-11ea-94d2-d7bc43b26bf9_story.html
Retired Army Gen. David Petraeus, have suggested that such a step is overdue. What a wuss. Petraeus was always a bit of a pussy-whipped boy general.
You are too funny Andrew. Thanks for adding a little humor. If I thought something like this, I certainly would not risk embarrassing myself over making a public statement. You may be stupid, Petraeus, you don’t advertise it. Same goes for Mark Esper.
Petraeus was always a bit of an oddity. Smart (which he is) doesn’t make you wise.
Excellent article on a very important topic that many of our leaders will overlook. This is just another slippery slope decision that should be easily avoided. Any man with common sense would know what to do and that is not even consider changing the names.
Good comment, Jose. It is indeed a slippery slope argument. Next they will want to change the name of their helmets to something as equally stupid. Then, what is next?
Big fan our yours, Army Vet. Love your writing style too. Very entertaining. Kick more butt!
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Keep writing, Army Vet. I too enjoyed your article and was shocked – yes, shocked – to see this. A few years ago the Army considered changing the name of their helicopters which they name after American Indian tribes. Symbolizes bravery but due to the PC types at the time, there was a big dust up. The Army said “take a hike” we are not changing anything and guess what, the liberal assholes forgot about it.
“Army Helicopters and Indian Names (Update)”
https://www.theleadermaker.com/army-helicopters-indian-names-update/
Yes, Max, here is the article from 2014. Hard to believe it’s been that long ago and the Army forgot about it.
Thanks for finding it for us, lydia. “It was inevitable that someone would get around to calling the U.S. Army racist and a slur for naming its helicopters after American Indians.” I predict this problem will be back soon.
— and I’m American Indian (and proud of it).
Thanks lydia. ?
Like the Washington DC “Redskins” football team name controversy. Support for continued use of the name has come from the team’s owners, management, the NFL Commissioner, and a majority of fans, which include some Native American individuals. Supporters say that the name honors the achievements and virtues of Native Americans.
Some people are sad and there is nothing we can do about it, nor would I want to. These are examples so why encourage such poor behavior by rewarding them with what they want. Tell them to take a hike. If Esper and his crazies working for him want to change army base names, let him do it. He will go down in history as the dumbass who did it and we will never forget. Kinda like Hanoi Jane Fonda.
Really enjoyed today’s article by guest blogger Army Vet. Wish we knew more about him. Is there another website where we can find out more about him (or is it a ‘her’?) — I would pay to read more from Army Vet. Thanks all. ?
Parade deck Army. Great. I think I’ll be using this phrase. We certainly don’t want our military to be like the Italian army during WW2 or the French white-flag army. Go Army Vet, you da man.
LOL, yes, Army Vet is it. I love it when he writes. No PC in this man. Manly men! That’s what I respect.
Gives new definition to ‘wussies.’ Shameful.
Hey, Army Vet, I’m one of your many fans here in this leadership blog that Gen. Satterfield has put together for us. Keep up the great work you are doing by calling out the rank hypocrisy and ‘stupidity’ of our leaders today. The military is about winning wars, that’s it.
All of us here are big fans of Army Vet. He is the first guest blogger for Gen. Satterfield. I think so anyway. He has a number of really good articles that are worth reading. If you are new to this website, just search on his name and you will get them. Read from oldest to newest for you to see how he has changed.
Right and U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy should get the hell out of DC and find some real soldiers at the bases he keeps talking about and not visiting them. No respect for this pussy. You know what I say ….. “Stupid is as stupid does.” Hmmmmm. Trite but true.
“Crazy” is an understatement. Institutions that go the way of fads and “finger in the wind” thinking, tend to die out pretty quickly.
You got that right, Doug. And the entire senior leadership of the Army should make their case, forcefully, that changing the names is more than nuts, but shows a weakness that can be exploited by the enemy. In fact, China is already doing so.
Thanks, JT. This is just a start of fads in the military. Our job is simple, to kick the ass of the enemy. Changing base names, okay, but what will be next? … pink underwear?
Good point, Doug. I feel ashamed to be an army vet myself after reading what Esper and his ilk are doing to our military.
Yes, and it should come as no shock to any of us. This has been building for a long time now. Pres Trump should put his foot down on such stupid stuff, like allowing transgender people into the military. What’s up with that?
No surprises anymore in this crazy world.
Crazy, like crazy … plenty of us out here who are crazy but focused, very focused because we want to showcase the absurdity of such behavior.