CHAIN-OF-COMMAND
As a proud member of West Point’s Long Gray Line, and as an eight-year, well-trained, U.S. Army Infantry, Airborne Veteran, including two years of combat [1965-66; 1968-69, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), 2nd Army of the Republic of Vietnam Division (ARVN) Advisor; and 9th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment Company Commander and Operations Officer during the Vietnam War] it was angering, disgusting, and embarrassing to learn about the hastily called, dangerous meeting—military commanders and non-commissioned officers from around the world together in one room—Commander-in-Chief Trump and Secretary of War Hegseth held with a distinguished and well-decorated military audience of 800 Generals, Admirals, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers on September 30, 2025 at the United States Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. Topics included treating women and people of color equally, male oriented fitness standards for troops, facial hair requirements for folks with medical issues, rules of engagement, domestic law enforcement, and using American cities as training grounds for the military.
Simply, Commander-in-Chief Trump has zero military service, is overweight, is out of shape, is not a leader, and is unqualified. Secretary of War Hegseth was a combat platoon facilitator and the character of his remarks most likely replicated what he said to his 30-50 soldiers the first time. He is not a leader, is unqualified, and is catering to the desires of President Trump. Through the military chain-of-command, a memo would have been all that was necessary to get the message to the troops. The meeting was dangerous, a waste of time and money, and put defense of America and the world at risk.
Let us evolve! The consolidation of autocratic power by President Trump and his associates is occurring daily. On September 10, 2025, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Utah Governor Spencer Cox offered, “We can return violence with violence. We can return hate with hate. At some point, we must find an off-ramp, or it’s going to get much, much worse.” (USA Today, September 15, 2025, 2A)
It is time to evolve and move forward from the chaos of hyperpolarization being created by conflicting ideologies of traditionalists, modernists, post modernists, left-wingers, right-wingers, blue states, and red states that are being pontificated by politicians and respective tribes. A good cultural worldview-vision for America can facilitate non-violent discussion and transcendence. We need to vote for good, solid leaders who can turn vision into reality and create strategic objectives and strategies that defend American democracy and silence domestic, home grown, home led, terrorism, political polarization, violence, and autocracy. For the preservation of democracy, take time to separate the wheat from the chaff, peacefully and non-violently protest via social media networks, community protests, boycotts, leadership of groups and communities, and select and vote for politicians who are genuine leaders with solid leadership track records.
