"Members of the military must learn to connect with American civilians"

Members of the military must learn to connect with American civilians

"We need to better understand the American people and the leaders they elect, to build relationships with those outside our Spartan lives."  Rear Admiral John F. Kirby (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/veterans-must-learn-to-connect-with-american-civilians/2013/03/27/d328430e-84f4-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html)

The subject line comes from a Washington Post piece attributed to a speech Rear Admiral Kirby recently gave.  Certainly a central theme, as he articulates below, has value:

"We haven’t been neglected or forgotten. American civilians are simply confronted by problems other than war, problems we might have difficulty understanding from the relative permanence of our profession. They are not losing life and limb on the battlefield, but they are losing their jobs, their homes, their livelihoods. They can be forgiven for being distracted and even a little tired of war."

Our society has learned a lesson from the Viet Nam era, during which the public disillusion with the decisions leading to engagement in war was inappropriately focused on the individual soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine.  Our servicemen and -women had no say as they performed their duty, yet were vilified and subjected to grossly repugnant treatment.  During the war on terror, society has learned that it's disagreement with national policy should be focused on the senior decision makers and elected officials, not those in uniform.  So, in this context, Rear Admiral Kirby makes a valid point.  I've seen first hand the support provided by the public, particularly to those wounded in combat and the families "back here" when their serviceman or -woman was deployed, often multiple times, to one of the combat zones.  We've all seen community and individuals expressions of pride and support, whether it be in an airport, at the ballpark, or elsewhere across our nation.  Simply put, we did a better job of recognizing and honoring the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families.

But, with all due respect to Rear Admiral Kirby, some of his comments in the above article are misguided.

"We hold ourselves to higher standards of conduct. We tell ourselves that not everyone is good enough to join us. All this is true.  But it’s foolish to believe we are better than the society we protect."

The military, by its nature, must be dedicated to, believe in, and behave at levels above that of our general society.  We can not lower ourselves to the prevailing levels of loose morals, ethical relativism, lacking integrity, dishonesty, absence of responsibility, or self-centered pursuit.  When dealing literally with life and death matters in defending our nation, only the highest of values can be accepted from those who wear the cloth of our nation's uniforms.

The author suggests reaching out to and entering into discussion with elected officials, as part of thanking and educating them.  True.  But in doing so, keep in mind the disdain in which all too many hold the military.  For example, Senator Boxer publicly chastising a general officer during testimony for responding, "Yes, Ma'am," a measure of respect schooled in the military.  We respond to our seniors by "Yes, Sir" and Yes, Ma'am," recognizing and respecting their seniority.  Also keep in mind how some have tremendous trouble with the truth.  For example, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton falsely claiming to have landed under fire while visiting the Balkans while First Lady.  ("I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base." --Hillary Clinton, speech at George Washington University, March 17, 2008.)  And all too many have trouble with responsibility and accountability.  For example, former Congressman Anthony Weiner.

As I see it, the best of the military operates at levels well above the general population and considerably above that of Congress.  So, in this context, I respectfully disagree with Rear Admiral Kirby.  As the protectors of America and our way of life, it is incumbent upon us to do so.  We can not afford to do otherwise.  Despite what some may believe, that is why a lot of young men and women are drawn into the military.  They want to be part of something bigger and better than the general population.  Once in uniform, they find the ethos of unit before self, sacrifice in the name of the greater good, ethics, recognition for accomplishment, and integrity that which they have been seeking, but not finding, in the civilian world.

To those detractors who who cite failings by members of the military (USAF drill sergeant rapes of recruits; general officer extramarital affairs; removal from command of US Navy ship commanding officers; etc.), I would offer that the military takes seriously these actions and reacts with certainly, in ways not found in general society.  And certainly not by elected officials.  It is all too sad that politicians say and do things for which they are not held accountable by either their peers or constituents.  Falsehood after falsehood is uttered without the individual being called out or held accountable by his/her peers.  (For example, Representative Maxine Waters declared the sequester would cost "170,000,000 jobs," when there are not that many people employed in the entire country.)  Members of Congress fail to follow the law and are not held accountable.  (For example, Senator Reid and the Senate did not table a budget for more than four years, violating federal law.)  Scofflaws are nominated for and confirmed to Cabinet positions.  Rest assured, failing to obey the Uniform Code of Military Justice brings about punishment for those in uniform, because we hold each other accountable and expect to be held accountable for our actions.  Elected officials, on the other hand, have risen to a form of art the dodging of responsibility and accountability.

So while agreeing that our society correctly supports and recognizes our men and women in uniform, we are better than that general society.  I believe this is appropriate and necessary.  The military must be above that which prevails in today's society.  Doing so is imperative in performing our mission of defending the nation, placing the lives of men and women on the line while doing so.  The nation expects and and we can do no less.