Military On Culture War Front Lines

The American Conservative ^ | 09-01-2016 | Rod Dreher

[NRx]

This e-mail came from a medical officer in the US military. I publish it with his permission:

By no means am I getting rich but I make surprisingly good money, enjoy what I do, and have pretty great job security. In accordance with my personal convictions, I am in a non-combat role — this may sound like splitting hairs since I am still in the military but I sleep at night knowing that my job helps save lives, not take them. My plan has always been to serve my time and then reap the wonderful retirement the military offers. But now, I am not so sure. Culturally, today’s military is nothing like it was a mere 4 years ago and 180 degrees from where it was a decade ago.

Four years ago, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) was still official policy. Approximately a week ago, I received a memo outlining a policy and a way ahead for reassignment surgery for transgender troops, something that would have been absurd in 2012. I cannot state this enough: this is how far we have come in 4 years. On top of that, I find it profoundly disturbing that what seems to be psychosis is treated via grotesque mutilation of the human body that, clinically, has shown very few positive psychological results. Military medicine has one of the most robust mental health networks in the entire country. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have mental health issues from depression and anxiety to PTSD and substance abuse are treated and continually evaluated for their fitness to serve. But, transgender troops have now been given the go ahead (and to be fair, there is a lengthy approval process) to remove or disfigure sexual organs, take hormones, and call it good — all at the expense of the taxpayer. What world are we living in?

Regarding who I am and what I stand for, I don’t even agree with DADT. It’s bad policy and I could give a damn if any of my troops are gay. In fact, in the last year I have had 3 homosexuals serve in my direct command and all 3 are excellent at what they do. All 3 received promotion based in large part upon my evaluation of their performance. The military has always been a meritocracy but that’s changing. You see, I am not worried about some of the fantastic men and women who have served in my command. I am, however, worried about the dirtbag (military-speak for a do-nothing) who doesn’t deserve promotion and who, upon receipt of a poor performance report, accuses me, a trad Christian, of anti-gay bias. That day isn’t here yet but the writing is on the wall. It is coming fast and there is no promise of respite under Hillary Clinton who, let’s just be honest, is likely to win in the biggest landslide in 30 years. We must not forget that she has basically stated that she does not think freedom of religion extends past Sunday and churches who are on the “wrong” side of history, as it were, must change their ways. In other words, in her mind it’s not enough to be kind, considerate, and fair whilst agreeing to disagree.

As an aside (but since I brought up presidential politics), I would also like to note that my anecdotal impression is that Republicans, with their nomination of Trump, have lost the military voter. For the first time in my career, the seeming majority of troops are voting for the Democrat. After Hillary, it seems Gary Johnson draws the most support. I have had several non-religious, non-culturally conservative troops say they have always voted for Republicans because they felt like they were the party that really supported the troops. Unfortunately for the Republicans, I think we can mark 2016 as the year they lost an entire generation of military voters. Granted, we are not the biggest voting bloc but we vote and we overwhelmingly supported the Republicans. Of course, I am not voting for Trump so why should I be surprised?

I am simply hoping to convey the cultural shift experienced across the military within a very short time. I guess I will close by saying this: those who have served for 10 years or longer started their careers as pawns in the Bush administration’s interventionist wars and will likely end their careers as pawns in the Obama and/or Clinton administration’s culture wars. I will say it again: I truly believe the US military is on the front lines of our country’s culture wars. The worst part is that I don’t think anything can be done right now. In an attempt to bring this full circle, I planned on retiring out of the military but now my family is strongly considering pulling our lifestyle way, way back and living according to BenOp principles. By no means do I wish to sound alarmist but if we wish to pursue a life of peace and piety, BenOp may be the only way forward.

I look forward to the book and, in many ways, I hope we are wrong. But like you, I don’t think that’s the case.

I will keep you and your family in my prayers and I ask you do the same. It’s not easy out there, right now.

In the title of his email, the reader said that the US military is no place for Christian traditionalists. I have a question to you Christian readers who are now on active duty, or are veterans: Would you encourage faithful orthodox Christians to serve in the US military?

Why or why not?

[uncitizen]

I don’t believe his claim that the military folks are going with Hillary. Why would they?

[antidisestablishment]

This guy’s full of s***. Big surprise he’s not voting for Trump— he’s the type of self-serving, boot-licking, perfumed, elitist, brown-nosing, lying, pusillanimous, back-stabbing, spineless, gaslighting, reprobate, cowardly shadow of a man that passes for an officer these days. If there were any officers with balls, none of these disgusting policies would be allowed.

He’s right about one thing: more (young) troops support Democrats. Not that it’s a majority, but it is a trend. They mostly supported Bernie—and that should tell you the state of our country. We fought decades against Communists, and our children will vote them into power. See my tag line...

We need Christians to stand up and be counted. Abdicating your God-given responsibilities is not a Godly answer. Working to change the system or sacrifice yourself is still honorable. For all of you Christians requiring perfection in the workplace : Where do you work? Will you quit because your employer offers same sex benefits; abortions and transgender surgery in their health plans? Will you pick up arms against the officials who enforce these rules?

Would you rather see the ranks of all businesses and government agencies bereft of all Christians? How does that differ from the Left’s views? Where is running away from society mandated in Scripture? In the world, but not of this world, does not mean abandoning the world to sin, but keeping yourself from it through the power of God.

[Frank_2001]

Agreed! Little more than a Trump hit piece!

[steve86]

These days you never know.

[SamuraiScot]

all 3 are excellent at what they do.

Thanks, buddy. I don't want to think about what they do.

[Celerity]

Voting for Hillary ?

THIS

IS

TREASON

A lot of people have this misunderstanding of what “a strong and powerful military” mean today.

If our next leader doesn’t go toe-to-toe with Putin and Ji jinping (Or however they pronounce that @$$holes “tin can falling down a flight of stairs” name) Then the US will be the LITTLE CAPITALIST BITCH of Sino-China.

We can NOT lose this.

[ExNewsExSpook]

Frankly, I’m a but suspicious of the letter. Two surveys of the armed forces population—including Military Times—show Trump with a commanding lead. A third poll, of dubious quality, suggested strong support for Gary Johnson. This letter is the first that offers even a remote suggestion that Hillary will carry the military vote.

I’m a retired Air Force officer and work with members of all branches of the armed forces on a regular basis. Based on my conversations, I’ve found that Hillary enjoys anything but contempt from the vast majority of military personnel.

[Chainmail]

Whoever this guy is, he’s a lousy excuse for a military officer and a waste of a uniform. I love that bragging about how he’s “noncombat” - what a gutless jerk! There’s always some pantywaist who likes getting the paycheck and wearing the uniform but let’s all the rest of us do the tough stuff.

1. Homosexuals are a plague to the services. Their entire focus are their sexual partners and that’s where their allegiance stays. Their brains are broken and whatever worth they provide is negated by their corrosive effect on morale and discipline.

2. Transgenders? Words fail me. More broken brains.

Anybody who is destructive to the mission or unwilling to risk their lives in combat is worse than worthless.

[ExNewsExSpook]

last line should read: Hillary receives nothing but contempt from members of the military.

[Hardastarboard]

Disconnector is worn. :-)

[Sans-Culotte]

Of course, I am not voting for Trump so why should I be surprised?

The guy writes this whine-fest and then states he's not voting for Trump? I hope he's the next guy who has to wear the pregnancy simulator with high heels.

[PROCON]

Would you encourage faithful orthodox Christians to serve in the US military?

My son and I had "the talk" a few years ago when he was in High School JROTC and planning on going into the ROTC program at Oregon State University.

He saw what was happening in 0bama's military and we both cried when we knew what he should do, or rather not do.

One of the toughest times of my life.

But, it isn't the Army I served in.

Oh, and FUBHO!

[NRx]

My deepest sympathies. That must have been incredibly hard.

[uncitizen]

That’s true. But under obama things have only gotten worse for military people and their families. So it just doesn’t ring true that they would be for Hillary over Trump.

[Thommas]

..having never served, maybe I am missing something...

I served many decades ago in the Army's Medical Service Corps. As one who did the scut work for Doctors and Nurses, I can say without reservation that the medical personnel, although good at their craft, are mainly die hard liberals. The good Doctor in this article projects the attitude of the minor, progressive element of REMFs in general. They do not reflect the combat arms attitude.

[Dr.Deth]

Of course, I am not voting for Trump so why should I be surprised?

Then you get what you get, enjoy.

[GreyHoundSailor]

I agree the Medical Corps doesn’t reflect the combat arms attitude. I used to thoroughly enjoy telling them Seaman Scruffy was going on deployment with his/her ship despite the doctor’s recommendation they be left behind to hand out towels at the base gym for six months.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

So this guy ( if he exists) got a free degree, will serve until he gets a free retirement for life, and supports the further dismemberment of our military warrior attitude. Sounds like a progressive democrat to me. Hoax?

TC

[Marie]

Hubs says that everyone in the office is voting for Trump. ALL of them. The news is rolling on the TV all day, but they turn the channel when Clinton comes on. Can’t even stand the sound of her voice.

So, no. I do not believe that the Republicans have lost the military vote. The only soldier who I know who’s not going for Trump is not voting at all. (And never has) But his wife sure as hell is in the bag for the Big T.

[GreyHoundSailor]

Knowing what I do about the Navy Medical community - where big Navy changed the rules just for them because so many ‘medical professionals’ tried ‘eating their way out of the Navy’ - this post isn’t surprising. There were thousands of cases where Navy paid for medical school or nursing school and the beneficiaries deliberately tried to get booted after graduation by gaining weight so they’d fail body fat standards. I wouldn’t put anything past some of these freeloaders.