Opinion
On Saturday, the United States lost three soldiers to an enemy drone attack on a military installation located in the Middle East. The three souls lost were likely asleep in their bunks as the attack was executed in the very early morning hours on a little-known installation in Jordan known as Tower 22.
Many Americans and probably even a fair number of service members were surprised to hear that the United States operated on a base in Jordan. However, installations like this one have been in operation for quite some time with the blanket justification of fighting the “War on Terror.”
The outrage Americans should feel at three of their own being murdered, likely while they slumbered by our perpetual enemies in Iran, is justified and is felt by veterans such as myself deeply. But what I find the most revealing is how the main spokesperson for the Biden administration chose to articulate the feelings of this White House.
No respect
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of the three soldiers the United States lost on Saturday:
“Our deepest condolences go out and our heartfelt condolences go out to the families who lost three brave folks who are military folks who are brave who are always fighting and are fighting on behalf of this administration of the American people obviously more so importantly.”
There are so many indicators within her statement that reveal not only how Ms. Jean-Pierre and those she is paid to represent view America’s servicemembers, but also why Americans are turning away from military service in general. Let’s dive into this tangled mess of verbiage vomit from the nation’s top communications professional.
The reference to dead servicemembers as “folks” minimizes the profession these brave men and women had signed up to live. These were soldiers, not “folks” from down the street or nameless “folks” you saw at the neighborhood store.
Specialist Kennedy Sanders (24), Specialist Breonna Moffett (23), and Sergeant William Rivers (46) were uniformed servicemembers in the Profession of Arms. But that’s not how this administration sees them; they are just “folks” who died inconveniently.
Furthermore, the over 30 other servicemembers who sustained injuries from the drone attack in Jordan, injuries that will likely be lifetime lasting either physically or mentally or perhaps both, aren’t just “folks.”
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Words matter
Ms. Jean-Pierre goes on to betray the truth behind what she and, by extension, the Biden administration and, in general, the D.C. elite view the purpose of the United States military: to serve them. She claims these soldiers were fighting in Jordan “on behalf of this administration.”
She lamely attempts to fix her slip of the tongue, ending with “…of the American people obviously more so importantly.” It’s been my experience that what people say, particularly when it matches their actions, tends to be the truth or at least how they feel deep down.
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The Biden administration and the war profiteers who maintain a close orbit in D.C. honestly believe the “folks” who raise their right hand to serve their nation are there to execute the whims of the political elite. For “folks” like myself, the Oath of Enlistment, particularly those of us who served for many years, is engrained in our memories.
In fact, I can recite it today from memory over two years past my retirement. The oath goes:
“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 the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
These are weighty words if you pay attention and absorb them fully into your soul like many fellow veterans of the last Forever War. It’s too bad the oath doesn’t mean much to those who wield the most power.
Argument against service
The United States military is facing an existential crisis. The Army, Air Force, and Navy have all failed to meet recruitment goals.
The Navy has gone so far as to lower standards, as they did in 2000, by allowing recruits who don’t have a high school diploma or GED to join. The military brass argues that recruitment is difficult because of the job market, COVID-19, the preponderance of Americans who aren’t qualified physically or mentally, and generational issues.
No doubt those are likely part of the problem. However, they are merely peripheral symptoms of the larger issue that is turning Americans off of military service.
To be in the service means giving your life to something greater than yourself, greater than any one man or one life. It is to serve one’s nation, dedicate your entire life to that service, and possibly lay down your life for your country.
Service to one’s nation is to exercise the concept of sacrifice daily. Who would want to sacrifice their lives for an organization that has sold its soul to woke ideology led by incompetent and self-serving “leaders” uninterested in maintaining and innovating defense capabilities, holding themselves accountable for failures, or even articulating clear foreign policy and mission objectives?
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President Joe Biden said of the three who died:
“We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor.”
Will he show the same care and attention at Dover Air Force Base when the bodies of dead soldiers come home that he did for the Afghanistan 13 – looking at his watch in what appeared to be disinterested frustration? Those soldiers and these soldiers didn’t die for the Biden administration, as Karine Jean-Pierre said; they died because of the Biden administration – there is a marked difference.
Do what exactly?
It’s important to note that the reason the drone attack in Jordan was successful is because the air defense capabilities at the location confused the drone with a friendly drone that was coming in at the same time. The same Department of Defense that can’t pass a financial audit, identify and neutralize slow-moving Chinese spy balloons traversing over nuclear silos, and maintain operable military equipment such as the F-35, let alone provide livable quarters for servicemembers, can’t seem to put their finger on why Americans don’t want to follow a profession of military service?
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said of the drone attack:
“We don’t want to see these attacks continue. And we want to make it clear that they’re unacceptable. We also want to make it clear that we’ll do what we have to do to protect our troops, our facilities, our national security interests in the region.”
Seems like an empty threat to our enemies who have launched over 150 attacks on U.S. troops in the region since October. It’s hard to believe Iran and the terrorists they bankroll are shaking with fear after our repetitive unanswered defense failures.
Mr. Kirby goes on to say:
“But we don’t seek a war with Iran. We’re not looking for a wider conflict in the Middle East.”
All signs indicate the contrary, but what baffles the mind is what on Earth makes these war hawks believe we have the capabilities to win? It’s no wonder young Americans are turning down military service; who wants to be a part of a perpetually losing team?
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