The Afghan Papers...First off let me say, I know I have a couple ppl who have probably accidentally followed me here on Twitter, and I’m essentially talking to myself on the issue, but I don’t care. I need to get this off my chest.
The Silence is Deafening
The Silence is Deafening
1/ The Afghan Papers story should be bigger than it is, & our country should be asking questions of our highest ranking officers, to include those quoted in the papers, & the current commanders on the ground.
2/ But here we are, in a country that is devoid of empathy, self centered, and always looking for personal gain. Should we be surprised that those attributes have made their way into the officer corps of the US military as well?
3/ Thanking vets for their service is mission accomplished for the majority of America. The same America that could not find Iraq or Afghanistan on a map, and who now, will not demand better of the military or politicians after 20 years, and the release of the papers.
4/ I’m sure there is fear of looking like they do not “support the troops”, and most peoples complete lack of exposure to the military in general.
5/ Journalists will scan through these documents looking for juicy tidbits to use as clickbait for an article, or carry on about the funds wasted, corruption, and maybe a lone casualty figure thrown in to make sure we know they care about the dead.
6/ I’m waiting to hear high level officials call for an investigation of the real problem.
7/ In my opinion, the problem that should be investigated is the complete lack of faith in what was until now, the most revered institution of our country. The US military.
8/Bottom line, they were all in on it. Politicians, DC Hacks, the officers. All profited or kept their mouths shut in order to secure their future. This still happens every day. Whether in the field or in the beltway/offices on the home front, these ppl look out for themselves.
9/ Mike Flynn admitted to the scheme in the papers, & then still attempted to profit after he left the service (consultant)
10/ But the truth was always out there, it’s just that many never cared to look. @Michael_Yon has reported on Iraq and Afghan, but his blog was rarely in the news. He did honest and selfless reporting, and is still doing so today (Hong Kong). michaelyon-online.com
11/Officers like Col H. Tunnell were ripped in the press & accused of ruining the COIN nonsense executed over the past 20 yrs. He should be praised for his integrity but instead they couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. See his letter linked in page. michaelyon-online.com/stunning-lette…
12/ Mid level officers like Maj Sjursen, Who wrote this Veterans Day article knew what was happening, and speaks for many vets who have gone over to the sandbox zerohedge.com/political/amer…
13/ And the same officer as the previous article, expresses many vets feelings about the wars & the papers that have now come out. archive.is/uWeUq
14/ The US military LEADERSHIP should now be on par with Congress in their approval ratings after this leak. Instead, the concentration by journalists is to get caught up in the juicy details. A higher and broader level convo needs to be had.
15/ US citizens expect politicians and appointed bureaucrats to be dishonest, but the military, and the officers appointed to lead men in war are supposed to be different, and America thinks they are.
16/ Many gutless, high ranking officers sent their men off to be killed and maimed with no other reason than they were just following orders or COIN doc. How many high ranking commanders resigned their commission in protest over the failed strategies or lack of one altogether?
17/ Maybe the military can finally find an answer to the question that has been dogging them for decades. Why are the best and brightest leaving the service?
18/ By starting with a macro view of these papers and not making up the same old excuses, maybe some honesty can be injected into the narrative.
19/ The best and brightest are smart enough to know they have far more opportunity, and better contributions to make to themselves and their country, instead of dying in vain for a cause that has no direction and no benefit for our citizens.
20/ It’s ironic that the Army ingrains the Army Values into new soldiers from day 1. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity & Personal Courage.
21/ I guess those values only apply to the lower enlisted folks, since clearly NONE of them were followed by high level leadership throughout these wars.
22/ These institutions will be charged w/ defending against China & any other future threats, but lacked the integrity to do the right thing during these latest colonial expeditions.
23/What can we expect in the future, when a real threat to our way of life emerges? Where real leadership and tough situations demand the truth? Will we stick with this losing mentality? Will careers and upward mobility be the first thought & put above doing what it takes to win?
24/ If we cannot trust our leaders to make honest assessments, and protect their soldiers, how can we expect to prepare and win against threats that will be far more dangerous, and where losing will bring much greater consequences?
25/ Current soldiers should be outraged by these leaked papers. They should question their command and their leaders competence more than ever.
26/ The Public should question our faith in institutions, and the leadership at the top of them. the military should be scrutinized and questioned at every turn now. We can no longer afford to have an institution deemed untouchable, and beyond criticism.
27/ now that the papers are out, we veterans can actually cite quotes directly from these failed leaders. It was always tough to have an opinion before, due to ppl doubting our motives, and prior to the clearly systemic failure that is now on paper.
28/ Until the public and media stop fawning over the military, and praising them for their service, nothing will change. The American ppl need to step up and demand better, I think it would be unrealistic to think things will change in the short to mid term.
29/ The only realistic scenario, in my mind, which may bring about change, is the extreme cost of blood associated with a future conventional operation. It will be the patriotic young men that pay the price, most being too young and idealistic to know who failed them.
30/ the outrage that follows may be enough to break the cycle, but we shall have to wait and see.
31/ Maybe some form of a draft, causing ppl to immediately have skin in the game, would allow ppl to take notice of our failures, and demand competent leadership.
32/ Until then, our mercenary force will continue to slog through endless wars, wasting time, money, resources, and the morale of the men who do the hard work in the trenches.
33/ I have to admit that after this long rant, I’m at a loss for solutions, there is nothing easy about taking on institutions, ingrained and set up to serve those at the top. Hopefully, some responses could help clear my own mind, & think through how I can do my part.
34/ For those who have experienced, and know the costs of war, The Silence is Deafening on this issue.
/end/
/end/
