opinion
On Saturday, the United States lost three soldiers in an enemy drone attack on a military facility located in the Middle East. The three missing souls were likely sleeping in their beds as the attack was carried out in the early morning hours on an unknown facility in Jordan known as Tower 22.
Many Americans, and perhaps even a fair number of military service members, were surprised to hear that the United States was operating at a base in Jordan. However, facilities like this have been in operation for some time with an overarching justification for fighting the “war on terror.”
The outrage that Americans should feel about the killing of three of their own, likely while they were sleeping, at the hands of our perpetual enemies in Iran, is justified and felt keenly by veterans like me. But what I find most telling is the way the Biden administration's chief spokesman chose to express the White House's sentiments.
There is no respect
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of the three soldiers the United States lost on Saturday:
“Our deepest condolences and our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost three brave people, brave military personnel who are always fighting and fighting on behalf of this administration of the American people, and obviously most importantly.”
There are several indicators in her statement that reveal not only how Ms. Jean-Pierre and those she is paid to represent view military service members in America, but also why Americans are turning away from military service in general. Let's dive into this tangled mess of vomit verbiage from the best communications professionals in the country.
Referring to dead soldiers as “people” belittles the profession these brave men and women signed up to live. These were soldiers, not the “people” from down the street or the faceless “people” I saw at the neighborhood store.
Specialist Kennedy Sanders (age 24), Specialist Breonna Moffett (age 23), and Sergeant William Rivers (age 46) were uniformed service members in the profession of arms. But that's not how this administration sees them; They are just “people” who died inconveniently.
Moreover, the more than 30 other soldiers who sustained injuries as a result of the drone attack in Jordan, injuries that will likely last a lifetime whether physically, mentally, or perhaps both, are not just “people.”
RELATED: Tucker Carlson slams Lindsey Graham and John Cornyn 'fucking lunatics' for encouraging war with Iran
Words matter
Ms. Jean-Pierre continues to betray the truth behind what she views, and by extension the Biden administration, and more generally, the elite in DC, to the purpose of the United States military: to serve. they. It claims that these soldiers were fighting in Jordan “on behalf of this administration.”
She lamely tried to fix her slip of the tongue, ending with “…the American people are clearly what matters most.” It has been my experience that what people say, especially when it matches their actions, tends to be the truth or at least what they feel deep down.
RELATED: Is This a Threat? An illegal immigrant from the Middle East tells a reporter: “Soon you will know who I am.”
The Biden administration and the war profiteers who maintain a close orbit in D.C. sincerely believe that the “people” who raise their right hand to serve their nation are there to carry out the whims of the political elite. For “people” like me, the oath of enlistment, especially those who have served for many years, is seared into our memories.
In fact, I can read it today from memory, two years after I retired. The section says:
“I, (insert full name), do solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; That I will bear true faith and allegiance to it; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers assigned above me, in accordance with the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Help me, God.”
These are weighty words if you heed them and absorb them fully into your soul like so many of your fellow veterans of the last eternal war. It's unfortunate that the oath means little to those who hold the most power.
An argument against service
The US military is facing an existential crisis. The Army, Air Force, and Navy have failed to meet their recruiting goals.
The Navy has gone so far as to lower standards, as it did in 2000, by allowing recruits who do not have a high school diploma or GED to join. Military leaders say recruiting is difficult because of the labor market, COVID-19, the large number of Americans who are physically or mentally unprepared, and generational issues.
Of course, they are probably part of the problem. However, they are only marginal symptoms of a larger problem of keeping Americans out of military service.
To be of service means to give your life to something greater than yourself, greater than any one man or life. It is serving your nation, devoting your entire life to that service, perhaps laying down your life for your country.
Serving the nation is practicing the concept of sacrifice daily. Who would want to sacrifice their life for an organization that has sold its soul to reawaken an ideology led by incompetent and selfish “leaders” who are not interested in maintaining and innovating defense capabilities, holding themselves accountable for failures, or even formulating a clear foreign policy and mission? Goals?
RELATED: A cabal of left-wing politicians and groups is already planning to undermine Trump's military again
President Joe Biden said of the three who died:
“We will strive to be worthy of their honor and courage.”
Will he show the same amount of care and concern at Dover Air Force Base when the bodies of dead soldiers come home as he did with Afghanistan 13 – looking at his watch in what seemed like disinterested frustration? These soldiers and these soldiers did not die to And the Biden administration, as Karine Jean-Pierre said; They died because From the Biden administration – there is a noticeable difference.
Do what exactly?
It is important to note that the reason the drone attack in Jordan was successful was because the air defense capabilities on site confused the drone with a friendly drone that was arriving at the same time. The same Department of Defense that can't pass financial audits, identify and neutralize slow-moving Chinese spy balloons crossing over nuclear silos, and maintain operable military equipment like the F-35, let alone provide livable quarters for military service members, can do it. They seem to be putting their finger on why Americans don't want to pursue a career in military service?
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said of the drone attack:
“We do not want to see these attacks continue. We want to make clear that they are unacceptable. We also want to make clear that we will do what we have to do to protect our forces, our facilities, and our national security interests in the region.
It sounds like an empty threat to our enemies, who have launched more than 150 attacks on US forces in the region since October. It is hard to believe that Iran and the terrorists it funds are trembling in fear after our repeated, unanswered defense failures.
Mr. Kirby continues:
But we do not seek war with Iran. “We are not looking for a broader conflict in the Middle East.”
All evidence points to the contrary, but what boggles the mind is what makes these war hawks believe we have the capabilities necessary to achieve victory? It is no wonder that young Americans refuse military service; Who wants to be part of a team that always loses?
It's time to support and share the sources you trust.
The Policy Insider ranks third on Feedspot's “Top 100 Political Blogs and Websites” list.
