One of the underappreciated negative consequences of the Obama presidency has been a complete ideological change within America’s armed forces.
The U.S. military of old exists in name only. Today, the name of the game is not to kill people and break things, if called upon to do so by the commander-in-chief. No, the road to success in today’s armed forces is to push the politically and culturally correct mandates of the left. Adhering to those mandates is how one gets promoted in the Department of Defense today.
It’s a reality that, if not reversed, could very well mean the U.S. will lose the next large conventional conflict against a near-peer adversary or alliance of hostile powers.
You don’t have to look very far to see evidence of this phenomenon — the push to feminize the military is obvious to anyone who seeks the truth.
There is a Defense Department-wide agenda to increase the percentage of female military members and commanders. This push results in good performance reviews, which lead to promotions, which in turn lead to power and influence. No one is stepping back and asking the question: Does this produce a more lethal, more efficient, more fearful fighting force? I think not. This process of turning our military into a societal experiment to right supposed wrongs of the past will have unintended, unpleasant consequences.
Recently, the military announced with much fanfare that the number of “sexual harassment” claims had gone up dramatically in recent years. Could this simply be because there are more women put in close contact, in tense situations, with 18-year-old men who are being trained to be hyperaggressive?
I can already hear all the wailing and gnashing of teeth over my comments, but if you are intellectually honest, you will admit the issue needs to be raised. When the country’s ability to defend itself is on the line, “men should control themselves” is not an honest solution to the problem.
When the push to overhaul the nation’s military culture began, we were told that none of these problems were going to happen. Now we are told that they are the result of “toxic masculinity.” Excuse me, but isn’t that a quality any country would want in its armed forces?
The last administration did a masterful job of culling proven war fighters from the leadership ranks of our armed forces, replacing them with generals and admirals who amounted to social justice warriors — the dreaded SJWs — on steroids. There isn’t the space here to detail the obvious reduction of standards in the armed forces when the priority becomes finding ways to allow women to “fit in.”
And you can be sure that as China, Iran, Russia, North Korea and other potential adversaries are surveying the American military and consider tactics to use against it in any future conflict, they have taken note of these changes and are readying asymmetrical tactics to take advantage of our self-inflicted wounds.
There are very few instances where the armed forces of the developed world place women in direct combat environments. Even the vaunted Israeli Defense Forces only deploys women in supporting roles.
Men and women are different. Our adversaries know this. If we don’t accept this truth, our adversaries will use this fact against us.
Originally posted at The Washington Times
I believe you are absolutely correct. Hussein, the destroyer, and his ilk staff did enough damage it will take 15 years to get back on track. Gutting the military of experienced flag officers and mid level supervisors has taken a heavy toll. Bush did not help either.
Get the women out of fighting roles, get them out of leadership roles, back into the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant.
When the 'females are the same as males' military of the modern US next goes into ground combat -- and it WILL, someday -- rape will be a routine weapon for our enemies.
I assume that's okay with you, Democrats. But is it okay if this causes us to lose?
I wonder if, at SOME point, TRUE Americans will STOP ALLOWING LEFTISTS TO HIJACK THE COUNTRY.
This problem will correct itself in short order. The limp wrists will be cannon fodder for an enemy that does not care about their 'feelings'. Yes it will be a heavy toll for the US but they will be replaced with those who DO get the picture. Sometimes you have to let the child burn himself before he learns not to touch the stove you told him time and time again to leave alone.
You can't fix stupid but if it gets itself culled from the population, problem solved.
The only thing worse that being in a war is losing one.
I'm a Vietnam vet who also spent three years in Iraq. The difference in the militaries of those two earas was unimaginable. The difference between them and WW II are astronomical. This author is right.
In the "old days", men did the fighting and women did the supporting, whether they were in combat or in a civilian capacity! This is the way it was, and still the way it should be today. Men and Women are, in many ways, different both psychologically and emotionally, whatever stance the present activists and pundits will advance.
Some years ago I saw a video of a female fire recruit trying to use an axe to cut through a sheet of 3/4" plywood. She was unable to perform this crucial task. After viewing the video, a councilwoman for the city said, "I do not care, get her an electric axe." Yesterday, I saw where a transgender male won every category against actual women in a weight lifting competition. I am not trying to besmirch women. The point is there are differences between men and women.
It started with Truman in Korea and we haven't done a good militarily job since then. Since Korea we don't fight to win, we fight to capitulate.
I have come to hate what political correctness stands for, and what it means to the disassociation and disconnect of our country. It all began with the vaunted quota systems of the 60's, 70's and 80's. Every organization, including the military is now required to have x no. of women, x no. of transgenders, x no. of LGBTQ+, x no. of various races and religions, etc. etc. etc. We must accommodate everyone and their uncle. We must make jobs interesting and economically viable. Bring us your crippled and bring us your weak, and we will find a place for them. Are they able, no. Are they committed, no. Are they strong physically and mentally, no. Will they do a good job, no. Do you trust them to cover your back when the chips are down, NO. I shudder at thought of the future in store for us.