I don't think too much of this military.

[Joe for Clark]

I think most of the officers should resign. They failed at their most important task, to me.

When they knew better - they said nothing - pisses me off more than I can tell you.

I think these JRs here - in this war - they show promise. That - I respect.


I have such a bad feeling about this -

Joe

[MADem]

1. Neither do I. And I have decades of service under my belt.

But I don't recognize these institutions anymore. They've no honor or dignity at all. And they're unprofessional. They don't take care of their subordinates, they treat their wounded like shit, they hire unqualified people, they stretch the capable past their limits, and they're just...well....assholes.

[Joe for Clark]

2. Yep - you got it just right.

It is not the kids - they are just like all the kids - I trust them pretty much.

People they serve under - I wouldn't buy a used car from.

Joe

[HowHasItComeToThis]

3. THEY ARE PART OF THE REPUBLICAN INSURGENCY IN AMERICA

THEY ARE FIGHTING WITH THE LAST WAR'S STRATEGIES.
STUPID AS SLUGS.

NEGOTIAIONS, NOT GUNS... BUT YOU ONLY GET PROMOTIONS IN WAR-TIME.

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WITH A PROFESSIONAL MILITARY.

[Joe for Clark]

4. It is not true - better not be true.

Joe

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

21. It appears that there's something wrong with your keyboard.

And your head. I'd have both checked by a qualified technician.

[Joe for Clark]

23. I agree with you.

They know whos ass they have to kiss to get promoted.

It is what you get with a professional military.

You guys know this country has NEVER won a war with just a professional army (and I do not count the 4 day "desert storm" thing as a war).

But promotions are sure quick in war time - aren't they??

The thing that really makes us strong - is that we are citizen soldiers when we have to be.

And we should have learned by now - war is only "right" when we do rise as citizen soldiers.

You made a fine observation I think.

Joe

[cliss]

5. "most of the officers should resign"

They already have. What you are seeing right now is the end result of Don Rumsfailed's "leadership" at the Pentagon.

When he took over, he interviewed each and every general. If any one disagreed with Rumsfailed, they were asked to leave. The Pentagon is gutted. The only ones that survived were butt-kissing Yes Men.

What we have today is an absence of leadership. The US troops are in mortal danger. The only people left were chosen to serve Don Rumsfailed. And he was ousted.

So we are left with -

[Joe for Clark]

6. Oh no -

SO many Majors trying to make Lt Cl and on and on -

The people left- what I know - is those that didn't they didn't speak up when they needed to - I know that about them.

Weakness of character.

Joe

[Monkeyman]

7. Ok Wise Guy I am Still up

Only officer I say Sir To is one who has earned his rank. Like a real Leader of Men. If your talking about officers of today. They are not the true way. CIB and no rail road tracks. And Will defend their men when they are right and put a boot up their ass if they are wrong. But it looks like today Honor is not there. They F over their men and now women. Broken Chain of Command. No Leaders so you are right resign

[Joe for Clark]

10. You got it right.

They are not leaders - just not.

I am so mad about some of the crap they pulled.

But with every turn - they proved they should be working the late shift at MCDonalds.

People that step on the heads of their guys to advance - are f-ups - they always will be.

Petraeus - next coming of christ my ass.

I have my own term for him -

Joe

[lazer47]

15. That is what is wrong now

to many have resigned, and left us with a bunch of ass kissing neo-cons, all above the rank of major, we are seriously lacking qualified officers that will take a stance and live by it, any officer that is truly qualified to lead, is in civilian life probably making more money than he would ever need and in a leadership position that actually means something.

[Joe for Clark]

22. I think you may be more right than you know.

And it is really bad.

Joe

[MADem]

9. Promotion rates are a hundred percent to 0-4 and damned high for 0-5 too

in USA and USMC anyway. People who can't stand it ARE bailing. Got that twenty? Grab that pension. Run like hell!

[G_j]

8. as all members of our community they bear responsibility to

the PEOPLE, not a cabal of oil connected con artists. There has been great harm done. It was done through cold lies and arrogance.

I agree with you Joe.

[Joe for Clark]

11. I think - those officers they had a higher duty.

It is not like they tried and failed - they didn't even try.

I do not forgive them. I know what is supposed to have happened and didn't.


Joe

[Monkeyman]

12. Yep They Failed at every turn

[Joe for Clark]

13. We are in that moment- in a car accident - that time

when you know you are gonna hit but before you do. Seems like years.

We are there alright.

I don't have political interests really - I just really like the kids. They are the same kids- the wars just change.

I always did - always will.

Joe

[G_j]

14. it is an awful feeling

my heart breaks
think of the other possibilities a wise, powerful and good nation might have seen.

Instead, we have greedy, foolish bullies, who bully their own people and give contracts to Halliburton.

[EFerrari]

16. Colin Powell.

[Skidmore]

17. Most of the generals are too busy auditioning for careers in media

after they retire.

[Joe for Clark]

18. My experience - what I have seen -

When they hit about rank of Major - seems to be when the cover your ass mentality really hits high gear. And it gets progressively worse as they try and go up the chain.

It has, I am sure, always been true. But this war - they really out did themselves.

There are some that did well I am sure - but as a group, these officers did worse than fail their kids.

Anyway - officers are not our army - those kids are. The good officers know that.

You make a good point.

Joe

[marlakay]

19. So much pressure on them

Especially on any base. My son-n-law is an air force captain. He is a dem but says he doesn't feel free to express his views on base at all. That it would affect the reports that constantly are written about everything they do.

He is not involved politically like I am either. He will vote at least dem but thats it. They are young and don't want to rock the boat of their career. I wonder how many young people are like that? Don't believe in the military but go along with it to keep their jobs happy.

I know most people on here would like them to speak out but imagine a job that once you get it, you can't just quit, you speak out and your life is made miserable. They have total control over you and where you are sent next.

I would be afraid to speak out. These are families. To speak out could mean be sent away from them, living in the worst place, your life at risk, etc.

I see why they don't speak out. We are asking young kids who aren't activists like us to risk their lives or quality of life. All we can do is hope that a Martin Luther King rises up from within the military or a Kennedy. A real leader.

[Joe for Clark]

20. They CANNOT speak out. People are getting article 15 for

even coming close. It is true.

They shouldn't HAVE TO. The COs were supposed to.

There are two sides to this war- the political and the technical.

I don't think officers should EVER go to the political side - not ever.

But they had a moral obligation (or more) to speak out truthfully about the technical. That impacted their kids in a life or death kind of way.

And it is just so pathetically clear - that they did not when they were obligated to - by that oath - for personal gain - to be promoted, etc... or just incompetence.

Those Jr officers in this war did just fine - promote them and get rid of the hacks.

And that is what they are.

Joe