Politics and the Politicization of the US Military

American Thinker.com ^ | September 21, 2021 | Caren Besner

[Kaslin]

“If there is one basic element in our Constitution, it is civilian control of the military” – Harry S. Truman

Americans traditionally have been wary of a large permanent military establishment, believing it to be a threat to democratic institutions. This attitude goes all the way back to the Founding Fathers who deliberately kept the army small, preferring to rely on local militia in case of an emergency. This was done to prevent the army from being used to repress the rights of any individual state during the long and ongoing battle over the issue of states’ rights; the echoes of which still reverberate to this very day. The past nine months’ events show how wise this attitude was.

During major conflicts, such as the Civil War and the two World Wars, the military would expand exponentially, only to revert to the size of a constabulary force when hostilities ended. This lasted until the end of the Cold War when our newly established rivalry with the Soviet Bloc compelled us to maintain a large standing military force.

All American soldiers swear the same oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. Their oath is not to any political party regardless of which one currently holds the reins of power.

Career military officers occupy a unique place in American society. Ideally, they are supposed to be apolitical. They vote in elections of course, but they are not free to criticize politics openly nor to deride their Commander-in-Chief, whoever that might be. Senior officers are supposed to be promoted based on competency, efficiency, and ability, not because of loyalty to any political party.

[Undecided 2012]

back in the 70s when I did my 4 years, I can’t recall politics ever being spoken

[FLT-bird]

The next administration whether Trump or DeSantis needs to embark upon a massive purge of the officer corps of the US military first thing.

Any who had any knowledge of the mutiny by Mark Milley and who did not report it are implicated in the mutiny and must be terminated immediately and have their security clearances permanently revoked.

Any Leftists who have used their positions in the military to push CRT or Woke ideology must be purged.

Any who publicly spoke ill of the Commander in Chief during his presidency or afterward when resident Biden was in office must be purged.

I don’t care if we are talking about firing 25,000 officers. Do it.

The message must be sent loud and clear. Do not involve yourselves in politics and do not violate the UCMJ or there will be consequences sooner or later.

[FreedBird]

The Woke are in charge. They will tell everyone what to do.