Tough but accurate. Someone was shocked at an event recently when I said I’m ready for us to leave Afghanistan. They thought I’d support my old bosses in their dismay. Of course, I’m very worried about the Afghan people but 20 years is a generation. (1)
https://twitter.com/jazarris/status/1420754320950132753
Did you ever see ‘European Vacation’ when they get stuck in the traffic circle in London? Chevy Chase is every general whose DNA is written with code to never ‘fail’ the mission. They will always keep fighting. “Look kids, victory!” Around and around, again and again. (2)
It’s why I’ve always said I want true civilian oversight of our wars. Everyone outsourced the “Forever War” to the military. We are purpose built to never fail the mission. It’s hammered into every soldier from day one. “There is no substitute for victory.” -Douglas MacArthur (3)
The last stanza of the Ranger Creed literally tells us to fight to the end: “Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.” You’ve left the war to good people who can’t fail.(4)
This will be ugly and we’re going to have to figure out how to support our national security objectives in the region but a generation of war is enough for an all-volunteer military. I truly pray for the Afghan people and my fellow vets who fought there. But, we must change. (5)
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