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Farewell to America's military meritocracy
American Thinker ^ | 19 Apr, 2022 | James Poplar

Posted on 04/19/2022 3:49:50 AM PDT by MtnClimber

As a fleet sailor for over thirty years, I saw our Navy and other branches military up close and personal. Yes, when I raised my right hand in 1970 to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America” there were still vestiges of racism and discrimination in all the services. Perhaps there was more in the tradition-bound Navy than in any other branch -- stewards were either Filipino or Black and there were very few minority commanding officers let alone admirals. That has changed dramatically in the last fifty years.

Over time, through the concerted efforts of leaders such as then-Chief of Naval Operations Elmo Zumwalt, the tide began to turn for both minorities and women serving in the nation’s sea service. In addition, the elimination of the draft and the creation of the all-volunteer force served as a catalyst to level the playing field for all serving regardless of race, sex, or creed. The vision of President Harry Truman, who formally outlawed segregation in the military, was finally coming to fruition and we were a more capable force across the board.

The United States military at large evolved into a true meritocracy, where an individual was promoted strictly on performance. I can honestly say in my thirty years of active service that I saw an individual not as white or black, but as a fellow “shipmate” based solely on his or her performance.

Unfortunately, this will soon end, as last week the Pentagon rolled out its own “equity” plan. The Department of Defense is now aiming to “equalize outcomes for employees” and partners across racial, sexual, and gender lines. In the text, the DOD explained a series of procedural changes to better align with the White House's demands for "equity."

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: communism
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1 posted on 04/19/2022 3:49:50 AM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

Now, the way to advance will be to become transgender.


2 posted on 04/19/2022 3:50:00 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on mycreen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

The navy was giving ‘Negroes and American Indians’ extra points for promotion as early as 1967.


3 posted on 04/19/2022 3:55:29 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: MtnClimber

This is Deep State’s military version of defunding the police.

If you can’t fire them, replace them with people loyal to you who’ll do anything for a paycheck.


4 posted on 04/19/2022 3:56:00 AM PDT by mewzilla (We need to repeal RCV wherever it's in use and go back to dumb voting machines.)
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To: MtnClimber

All of America’s greatest institutions are now floating in the DNC’s septic tank. Friggin’ bottom feeding DemonRATs.


5 posted on 04/19/2022 3:56:04 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Don't blame me, I voted for President Trump. Let's Go Brandon! FJB!)
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To: MtnClimber

6 posted on 04/19/2022 4:03:46 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: MtnClimber

BFL


7 posted on 04/19/2022 4:06:07 AM PDT by rlmorel (Democrats running things is termite infestation, and the exterminator won't be here for 3 years.)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

8 posted on 04/19/2022 4:07:32 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: MtnClimber
Starting decades ago, minorities were eligible for full-ride ROTC scholarships for any major where Caucasians were limited to very few degree programs. Outright blatant racism to the detriment of all involved. You wouldn't trust that a minority was commissioned based on merit.
9 posted on 04/19/2022 4:14:14 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: MtnClimber
The United States military at large evolved into a true meritocracy …

I find this hard to believe. At some level in the military chain of command an officer becomes a political hack, not a military leader.

10 posted on 04/19/2022 4:22:02 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("Mr. Potato Head ... Mr. Potato Head! Back doors are not secrets.")
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To: Alberta's Child

At some level in the military chain of command an officer becomes a political hack, not a military leader.

Usually once they get the scrambled eggs on their cover, or so I believe.


11 posted on 04/19/2022 4:31:49 AM PDT by ro_dreaming (Joe Biden is the dementia riddled, no-filter grifter he's always been - just now, we get to see it.)
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To: Travis McGee

Freaks looking to the military to get them respect and credibility. It’s not going to happen.


12 posted on 04/19/2022 4:38:09 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Don't blame me, I voted for President Trump. Let's Go Brandon! FJB!)
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To: ComputerGuy
The navy was giving ‘Negroes and American Indians’ extra points for promotion as early as 1967.

I know they were doing it in the 80's and up to 2002 when I was in.

13 posted on 04/19/2022 4:52:31 AM PDT by Doofer
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To: Doofer

They got five extra points on the HM exam. That was publicly displayed on the bulletin board at the dispensary where I worked after RVN.


14 posted on 04/19/2022 4:56:23 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: ro_dreaming

You can become an O-6 purely on competence and merit. But O-7 and up is increasingly political.


15 posted on 04/19/2022 5:09:10 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: MtnClimber

That was always, to me, the shining beacon of military service.

It was the meritocracy. It didn’t always work, because incompetents always seem to be able to get ahead, but it largely worked.

Because there is a need for people who “get things done”, those who “got things done” could almost always advance up the chain regardless of race, creed, sex, physical size, you name it.

The military was the ultimate Meritocracy in a country known for Meritocracy.

No longer.

That began to change during the Clinton Administration, by the Second Gulf War that concept was dead man walking, it just didn’t know it was dead yet, but it is sure as hell fully dead now.


16 posted on 04/19/2022 5:11:11 AM PDT by rlmorel (Democrats running things is termite infestation, and the exterminator won't be here for 3 years.)
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To: ComputerGuy
Also when I was in there was a window for your scores. If you where in it even if your score was high those minority's with the lower scores would get advanced. I assume it hasn't changed.
17 posted on 04/19/2022 5:11:41 AM PDT by Doofer
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To: Travis McGee

Evil incarnate.

I don’t blame these people as much as I blame those who facilitate and enable it.


18 posted on 04/19/2022 5:15:11 AM PDT by rlmorel (Democrats running things is termite infestation, and the exterminator won't be here for 3 years.)
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To: Alberta's Child

From the 1st day any Military started having ‘ranks’ - politics were involved, so from ancient times until the present...


19 posted on 04/19/2022 5:17:20 AM PDT by dakine
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To: Alberta's Child

I don’t think it is completely that.

I think that going up the chain, officers have to become more political simply because politics becomes an inextricable part of military function the higher you go.

No getting around it.

At the bottom looking up the pole towards those above you, all you see are a$$holes...:)


20 posted on 04/19/2022 5:17:54 AM PDT by rlmorel (Democrats running things is termite infestation, and the exterminator won't be here for 3 years.)
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