Why I quit... Desert Storm vet explains decision to leave Air Force after 22 years

Daily Inter Lake ^ | 11/7/10 | By MIKE BANZET

[Nachum]

I never expected to write this letter, but my Mom e-mailed me to get information about my career for a writeup on Veterans Day, and as this is the first such holiday in 22 years when I will not be on active duty, I felt compelled to let you know why I decided to quit.

Quit is a strong word, I know. Everyone I’ve talked to has repeated that I’ve had a marvelous career and that I’ve retired with honor. Maybe that’s true on paper; I guess that it’s reflected by the record. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like I’ve quit. And because I’m not a quitter, I feel I have to explain why — not that anyone is asking, but because perhaps they don’t know to ask.

Quit is a strong word, I know. Everyone I’ve talked to has repeated that I’ve had a marvelous career and that I’ve retired with honor. Maybe that’s true on paper; I guess that it’s reflected by the record. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like I’ve quit. And because I’m not a quitter, I feel I have to explain why — not that anyone is asking, but because perhaps they don’t know to ask.

Briefly, my career had been a representation of the promise of this country. Starting out on the lowest rung of the rank ladder as an F-4G Wild Weasel crew chief, continuing on F-16s and the F-117A Stealth fighter in Desert Storm, then a small part of Desert Fox as a nuclear Maintenance Officer and finally a pilot that took part in numerous deployments in Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

[FrankR]

It's hard to repair the car while your driving it...sometimes you have to stop, and get out, to fix it.

Congratulations on your 22 years, it's a lifetime of service to your country.

[FrankR]

Oops...your=you’re

[Max_850]

“Yep - He quit.”

In a sense maybe, but only he is entitled to label himself that way.

To a lesser degree I felt that way myself when I retired at the end of Clinton's term. In many ways I can not imagine serving under Obama, Pelosi and Reid.

I don't see it as quitting. I think it is just time to serve our family and local community rather than the monster created by our country's progressives. They built it, they own it, let them figure out how to protect it.

At this point I am more concerned about protecting my family.

[trimom]

Thank you for your service, Major. We tried to right some of the wrongs you list on November 2. We’ll keep working - we owe you no less.

[elc]

Sounds like a FReeper.

[Free in Texas]

The real truth from someone out on the sharp tip of the spear.

[no-to-illegals]

Thank You for this excellent post!
All Americans are indebted to Major Mike Banetz.
His insight into the state of our nation
needs no addition words, other than Thank You,
Major Mike Banetz for your duty to your oath.

[Slings and Arrows]

Now I want to cry. Thank you, Major, for your service.

[sasquatch]

Some time ago a friend pondered whether,though retired,he needed to officially rescind the oath or risk legal consequences...

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

Probably already viral and read by millions.

As it should be.

Semper Fi,

[RobRoy]

in his article is the answer to your question.

[Navy Patriot]

Nations fall because a privileged, cancerous part of their people become unworthy of support or protection and cannot be removed from the society. The degenerates will never risk themselves to defend the nation, and when others will not, conscripted or otherwise, it is over.

Mike's essay is merely a symptom of the impending disaster.

[MonicaG]

I love American Men like Mike Banzet, and I’m so grateful for his service. I pray all the time that our troops will be protected from (among MANY other things) discouragement but Banzet lays it all out the way I’ve always imagined it - serving in a war and finding out all the ways your own country is electing traitors, commies, & community organizers, et al, based on their redistributive Marxist b.s.

[jesseam]

My miltary career began with the Cuban Missle Crisis and ended after two tours in OIF. I concur completely with this gentlemans letter.

[brityank]

Great find, thanks Nachum.

Jaz - pass this along, Major Banzet has it cold:

"You elected officials who continually defame and berate military members, whether it is the observation that if you’re not too bright, you’ll get “…stuck in Iraq” (this from a guy who has two Purple Hearts for self-inflicted wounds, and known for throwing someone else’s medals away in protest), or the calling of combat Marines cold-blooded killers (in a war; before trial). You’ve elected officials in the role of commander-in-chief who “loathe” the military, while using ROTC deferments and special treatment to avoid military service that the less “connected” take as a responsibility. On the basis of “change,” you elected someone who had close, ongoing associations with people who were part of an organization that tried to kill us [U.S. military] on our own soil."

[MonicaG]

You are awesome jesseam! Thank you for your service. I am so grateful.

[Outlaw Woman]

Notice the "cancerous" areas of our Country:

[jesseam]

Thanks, I consider serving in the military to be an incredible honor

[Outlaw Woman]

He’s right but I am, we are not part of the electorate that he speaks of. It’s a heavy responsibility that we take absolutely seriously and yet, there are people who would trade this privilege for free cigs, food or tickets to a ballgame.
______________________________________________________
George Washington said:
“A primary object...should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing...than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
_______________________________________________________
The electorate he speaks of in this letter was not educated; only in hate and jealousy if anything. This is what we have to somehow overcome. Many of our fellow conservatives will be gone when 2012 rolls around.

[Navy Patriot]

Notice the "cancerous" areas of our Country

I understand your point.

How much cancer can your body survive without cutting it out or killing the cancerous part?