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Space Force Purges Commander
Townhall.com ^ | May 19, 2021 | Thomas P. Kilgannon

Posted on 05/19/2021 12:30:05 PM PDT by Kaslin


Source: Space Force Logo/Screenshot

Dulles, Virginia Matthew Lohmeier exposed a threat to the good order and discipline in America's military, and for that he was relieved of his duties as commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base. Firing Lohmeier was a high-profile blunder that has captured congressional attention and exposed Pentagon policies that are causing division in the ranks and inattention to higher priorities.

Lohmeier, who holds the rank of Lt Col, has a distinguished military career. He's a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a flight instructor and a fighter pilot who holds two master's degrees and developed an expertise in space operations. Eight months ago, he was selected for a command with the U.S. Space Force. His job was to use space-based resources to assess missile threats and provide early warnings to U.S. troops around the world.

In his spare time, Lohmeier is an academic and a historian. He is the author of "Irresistible Revolution: Marxism's Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military." On May 7, Lohmeier appeared on the podcast "Information Operation," with host Todd Wood to talk about his book and what he perceives to be a different kind of threat to the U.S. military.

It was this conversation that caused Lt Gen Steven Whiting, commander of Space Operations Command, to dismiss Lohmeier and order an investigation to determine if Lohmeier engaged in "partisan political activity." I'll save the investigators time and money: he didn't. Participation in political activity by members of the armed forces is regulated by Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 1344.10, and in his appearance on the podcast, Lohmeier didn't even come close to violating the Directive.

Lohmeier conducted the interview in civilian attire and never broached the issues of politics or personalities. "I don't care what the politics of my servicemembers are," he said, "it doesn't matter to me…I respect their views." He explained, "I try and give people the benefit of the doubt…my book isn't about persons or people…it's about ideas and…the spreading of those ideas." (More on those ideas in a moment.)

A second excuse for Lohmeier's firing was offered by a DoD official to CNN who said the decision was "due to loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead."

That's curious given that Lohmeier appears to be an excellent leader. He is calm, measured, thoughtful, well-informed, and respectful of both his superiors and subordinates. "All of my interactions with senior leaders…in the Air Force and in the Space Force have been very positive," Lohmeier offered. "We've got very good leaders. They care a great deal about their people. They care a great deal about the lethality of our force," he said.

So, if his firing isn't about politics and it's not about his leadership, what's it about? As Lohmeier put it, "it's about ideas and…the spreading of those ideas." More specifically, it's about Critical Race Theory (CRT) and how it is being used to address one of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's main priorities – to rid the military of "extremism in the ranks," and to create "an environment free of discrimination, hate, and harassment."

Lohmeier agrees with Secretary Austin's goal which is why he courageously spoke up to inform military leaders that the use of CRT perpetuates and exacerbates the problem.

Lohmeier explains that Critical Theory, an earlier version of CRT, is the "incessant criticism of all things western culture and civilization," and eventually morphed into CRT which "makes race the lens through which the world is viewed and then it weaponizes race dialog to cause divisions and contentions."

While military leaders are preparing for the threats posed by China and Russia, Lohmeier says they are blind to the fact that America may "face our greatest threat here at home."

It was a "proliferation of an anti-American narrative of our history that I was seeing show up at my own base," Lohmeier said. So he spoke up for two reasons. First, he believes "if we pursue this agenda, it will divide us, it will not unify us," and second, Secretary Austin encouraged an open dialogue in a "Stand-Down" order he issued on February 5. In that order, Austin said he expects service members "to be guided in their actions by a strong moral compass."

Matthew Lohmeier is the kind of leader we need in our military. He knows our enemies will exploit our vulnerabilities, just as terrorists did 20 years ago. Today, our Achilles heel is internal division that is made worse by critical race theorists who teach that America is unworthy of our service or sacrifice; our admiration or affection. That's a dangerous message to give to those entrusted with the defense of our nation.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 1moretime; spaceforce
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1 posted on 05/19/2021 12:30:05 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

They kind of proved his point.......


2 posted on 05/19/2021 12:32:12 PM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizens Are Born Here of Citizen Parents)(Know Islam, No Peace - No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: Kaslin

Print problem?


3 posted on 05/19/2021 12:32:15 PM PDT by Midwesterner53
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To: Kaslin

This is a tad squinty.


4 posted on 05/19/2021 12:35:49 PM PDT by Noumenon (The Second Amendment exists primarily to deal with those who just won't take no for an answer. KTF)
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To: Kaslin
Space Force CO Who Got Holiday Call from Trump Fired Over Comments Decrying Marxism in the Military
5 posted on 05/19/2021 12:37:12 PM PDT by libh8er
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To: Kaslin

Source: Space Force Logo/Screenshot

Dulles, Virginia Matthew Lohmeier exposed a threat to the good order and discipline in America’s military, and for that he was relieved of his duties as commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base. Firing Lohmeier was a high-profile blunder that has captured congressional attention and exposed Pentagon policies that are causing division in the ranks and inattention to higher priorities.

Lohmeier, who holds the rank of Lt Col, has a distinguished military career. He’s a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a flight instructor and a fighter pilot who holds two master’s degrees and developed an expertise in space operations. Eight months ago, he was selected for a command with the U.S. Space Force. His job was to use space-based resources to assess missile threats and provide early warnings to U.S. troops around the world.

In his spare time, Lohmeier is an academic and a historian. He is the author of “Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military.” On May 7, Lohmeier appeared on the podcast “Information Operation,” with host Todd Wood to talk about his book and what he perceives to be a different kind of threat to the U.S. military.

It was this conversation that caused Lt Gen Steven Whiting, commander of Space Operations Command, to dismiss Lohmeier and order an investigation to determine if Lohmeier engaged in “partisan political activity.” I’ll save the investigators time and money: he didn’t. Participation in political activity by members of the armed forces is regulated by Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 1344.10, and in his appearance on the podcast, Lohmeier didn’t even come close to violating the Directive.

Lohmeier conducted the interview in civilian attire and never broached the issues of politics or personalities. “I don’t care what the politics of my servicemembers are,” he said, “it doesn’t matter to me…I respect their views.” He explained, “I try and give people the benefit of the doubt…my book isn’t about persons or people…it’s about ideas and…the spreading of those ideas.” (More on those ideas in a moment.)

A second excuse for Lohmeier’s firing was offered by a DoD official to CNN who said the decision was “due to loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead.”

That’s curious given that Lohmeier appears to be an excellent leader. He is calm, measured, thoughtful, well-informed, and respectful of both his superiors and subordinates. “All of my interactions with senior leaders…in the Air Force and in the Space Force have been very positive,” Lohmeier offered. “We’ve got very good leaders. They care a great deal about their people. They care a great deal about the lethality of our force,” he said.

So, if his firing isn’t about politics and it’s not about his leadership, what’s it about? As Lohmeier put it, “it’s about ideas and…the spreading of those ideas.” More specifically, it’s about Critical Race Theory (CRT) and how it is being used to address one of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s main priorities – to rid the military of “extremism in the ranks,” and to create “an environment free of discrimination, hate, and harassment.”

Lohmeier agrees with Secretary Austin’s goal which is why he courageously spoke up to inform military leaders that the use of CRT perpetuates and exacerbates the problem.

Lohmeier explains that Critical Theory, an earlier version of CRT, is the “incessant criticism of all things western culture and civilization,” and eventually morphed into CRT which “makes race the lens through which the world is viewed and then it weaponizes race dialog to cause divisions and contentions.”

While military leaders are preparing for the threats posed by China and Russia, Lohmeier says they are blind to the fact that America may “face our greatest threat here at home.”

It was a “proliferation of an anti-American narrative of our history that I was seeing show up at my own base,” Lohmeier said. So he spoke up for two reasons. First, he believes “if we pursue this agenda, it will divide us, it will not unify us,” and second, Secretary Austin encouraged an open dialogue in a “Stand-Down” order he issued on February 5. In that order, Austin said he expects service members “to be guided in their actions by a strong moral compass.”

Matthew Lohmeier is the kind of leader we need in our military. He knows our enemies will exploit our vulnerabilities, just as terrorists did 20 years ago. Today, our Achilles heel is internal division that is made worse by critical race theorists who teach that America is unworthy of our service or sacrifice; our admiration or affection. That’s a dangerous message to give to those entrusted with the defense of our nation.


6 posted on 05/19/2021 12:40:11 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: Kaslin

His specialty was detecting incoming missiles. Unfortunately for him he detected a dangerous incoming threat much more deadly to America.

Kill a commie for mommy.


7 posted on 05/19/2021 12:40:13 PM PDT by DesertRhino (Dog is man's best friend, and moslems hate dogs. Add that up. .... )
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To: Kaslin

Damn. I must need new reading glasses.


8 posted on 05/19/2021 12:40:31 PM PDT by BBQToadRibs2
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To: libh8er
It's not the people who vote that count. It's the people who count the votes.

Joseph Stalin

Then of course once in power they go after anti Marxists

9 posted on 05/19/2021 12:41:20 PM PDT by Vaquero ( Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you. )
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To: Larry Lucido
I was going to do this:

Dulles, Virginia Matthew Lohmeier exposed a threat to the good order and discipline in America’s military, and for that he was relieved of his duties as commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base. Firing Lohmeier was a high-profile blunder that has captured congressional attention and exposed Pentagon policies that are causing division in the ranks and inattention to higher priorities.

But decided not to.

10 posted on 05/19/2021 12:42:18 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: libh8er
The Democrats always purge the Officer ranks when they get the Presidency. This time the purge is extending all the way to privates and recruits. It always reduces readiness and effectiveness, sometimes seriously. This time it is such that we had better be able to wage the next war entirely with computers and drones.

This is also why we cannot depend on the military to refuse use as a KGB enforcement arm against the population. When all the non Woke personnel are forced out the recruitment pool is also depleted. Recruits tend to come from the class of citizens now being flushed.

11 posted on 05/19/2021 12:43:42 PM PDT by arthurus ( |covfefe|:::)
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To: Larry Lucido

Seems to me that Critical Race Theory IS the 900 lb gorilla in the room that needs to be purged


12 posted on 05/19/2021 12:44:46 PM PDT by RatRipper ( Democrats and socialists are vile liars, thdieves and murderers - enemies of good and America.)
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To: Kaslin

Something tells me that the military men who have had their careers ruined in this purge are not going away quietly.


13 posted on 05/19/2021 12:48:11 PM PDT by chronicles
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To: Kaslin

Biden’s Pentagon is headed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a swamp creature and rabid leftist.
Last week, Secretary of Defense Austin appointed Bishop Garrison as head of the Pentagon’s brand new “Counter Extremism” task force. (And again, remember that no one is defining “extremism.”) Garrison is a fervent supporter of Critical Race Theory and has stated publicly that anyone who supported Trump is a racist. Yes, all 75 million of them. While you and I, when we think of extremists, might envision Muslim fanatics who want another 9/11, Garrison considers all Trump supporters to be extremists. And as of last week, Bishop Garrison effectively became the most powerful man in the military.

“An extremism steering committee led by Bishop Garrison, a senior adviser to the secretary of defense, is currently designing the social media screening pilot program, which will “continuously” monitor military personnel for “concerning behaviors,” according to a Pentagon briefing in late March. Although in the past the military has balked at surveilling service members for extremist political views due to First Amendment protections, the pilot program will rely on a private surveillance firm in order to circumvent First Amendment restrictions on government monitoring, according to a senior Pentagon official. Though the firm has not yet been selected, the current front runner is Babel Street, a company that sells powerful surveillance tools including social media monitoring software.” - Intercept

The United States government doesn’t get to circumvent the limitations the Constitution places upon it by outsourcing forbidden activity to hired third parties. If it can do that, the Constitution becomes a nullity.

“Everything wrong with the Biden military in one paragraph”
By Andrea Widburg


14 posted on 05/19/2021 1:06:58 PM PDT by servo1969
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To: Kaslin

EVERY military officer knows that showing disrespect, disdain, or hostility towards leadership results in problems. He knew that when he wrote the book. Dumb move.

He should have used a pseudonym, but never publish “how the military leadership sucks” book as an officer in your own name.


15 posted on 05/19/2021 1:10:46 PM PDT by CodeToad (Arm up! They Have!)
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To: Kaslin

For more commentary on this:

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3959830/posts

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3959817/posts

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3959711/posts

:-}


16 posted on 05/19/2021 1:25:13 PM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? Check! WTH? Enlisted USN 1967 to end up with this?)
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To: Kaslin

Everyone keep repeating: “We have not been taken over by Marxists”... “We have not been taken over by Marxists”...”We have not been taken over by Marxists”....


17 posted on 05/19/2021 1:29:22 PM PDT by Pajamajan ( PRAY FOR OUR NATION. I will never be a peaceful slave in a new Socialist America.)
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To: Kaslin

Biden’s new DUNCE FORCE.


18 posted on 05/19/2021 1:38:13 PM PDT by BEJ
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To: CodeToad
EVERY military officer knows that showing disrespect, disdain, or hostility towards leadership results in problems. He knew that when he wrote the book. Dumb move.

He should have used a pseudonym, but never publish “how the military leadership sucks” book as an officer in your own name.

It hasn't often happened in the US military, but in Japan field-grade officers have been known to sacrifice both their careers and their lives to express their concern with the direction of their armed forces, or going back further in history the direction of the shogunate.

Of course he knew. He made the decision that the future of America was more important than his own future. If enough of us were willing to sacrifice thus, the left wouldn't stand a chance.

19 posted on 05/19/2021 1:47:05 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: Kaslin

20 posted on 05/19/2021 1:51:01 PM PDT by Carpe Cerevisi
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