I Ain't Skeered
April 12th, 2008 by Admin
I wrestled with publishing this post. I'm not in the habit of making private matters public. However, I received an email that was so blatantly full of misinformation, I couldn't help but think that publishing it would be a public service to those Soldiers that read my site. I think it's important that Soldiers know their rights. But, it's also important that Soldiers understand and exercise respect where it is deserved and directed. There have been many officers and supervisors that I have not liked like, but I also treated them with the respect they were due by virtue of their rank and position. I always temper my attitude towards those I am supposed to temper it towards!! Good advice for sure. Another bit of good advice is something my father taught me as I began my military journey: As long as you do the right thing, you never have anything to worry about. It's my mantra.
This is the email I received. I am not going to share the email address or the name of the sender. I at least owe him/her that respect. Even though I'm distracted by hot wife right now, I offer you the unedited email:
I am discouraged and disgusted as to your recent post regarding Congressman Wexlers comments during his questioning General Petraeus. It appears much has changed since my leaving the Army in 1996. I always thought while in uniform the individuals in Congress and the Senate were our superiors and should be offered the respect of their position. While I appreciate your service in the war on terror I think your political views especially in your position as a active duty 1SGT are totally out of place. Many Americans no longer believe in this war and Mr. Wexler is doing the job he was elected to do in questioning the General. Last time I remember tax dollars pay your salary and your service helps provide everyone freedom of speech not just the speech you want to hear. Should you wish to play in the political arena I suggest you end your military career and then delve into the fire. Other than that start acting like a 1SGT and respecting those in elected offices. You are not setting a very good example for those you command by voicing your opinion in this way. I'm sure General Petraeus can handle the heat and if he can respect his superiors even if he does not agree with their position, and not use slanderous and divisive comments, surely you can follow in his footsteps. It appears with the need for soldiers to fuel the surge, as well as stop loss policies and multiple tours, rank now seems to be given out like candy as well. I hate to tell you but your comments are falling on deaf ears as the American public is sick of this war, the costs to our economy, as well as young American lives lost. Wake up…our time in Iraq is coming to an end. I'm sure you have more important things to do than play politics…. Maybe oh I dont know concentrate on training????
And, you guessed it, I let him have it with the same veracity with which I launch all counter-attacks:
Nothing has changed since you left the Army in 1996. Before I continue, let me thank you for your service whether we agree or not. We may not agree that victory is the correct course of action when we are at war, but I can respect your opinion to want defeat and failure in the face of a ruthless enemy. You are free to it. You fought for it. I continue the tradition you left me.
Individuals in uniform had the exact same rights I have today. I guess the main difference between 1996 and today is that us troops don't have you to [incorrectly] tell us we have no rights. You see, I'm an enlisted Soldier. My rank is not given to me by Congress and it won't be taken away by Congress. As stated in my contract (and all uniformed services enlistment contracts), " I…do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey (this is important so listen up) the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice." You'll notice that nowhere in there do I swear allegiance to or promise to obey orders of anyone in Congress. Now, Congress sends me to war, yes, but I still report to the President not the Speaker of the House or Minority Whip.
Army Command Policy (AR 600-20), of which I'm sure you are well versed, states quite plainly that I am free, nay, EXPECTED to carry out my obligations as a citizen. Furthermore, the regulation quite clearly states that a Soldier on active duty may "express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, as a private citizen, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces." (AR600-20, Appendix B-2)
I know none of this is what you were referring to when you wrote this email. I need to make one point before I make the following point, from which I believe you get your basis. Article 88 of the Manual For Courts Martial (UCMJ) is titled Contempt toward officials. You mistakenly believe that I am subject to said article. I can assure you I am not. You see, I have intentionally avoided getting a commission or becoming a warrant officer for the simple fact that I do NOT want to lose my ability to speak freely about my elected officials. Article 88 states:
"Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct."[emphasis added]
I don't hold a commission. I never have and I never will. As a matter of fact, I am a NON-commissioned officer. And i can't be charged with an Article 89, Disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer, since no one in Congress, while acting in that capacity, is a commissioned officer.
The title of your email is "Chain of command". So, let's go with that and use my chain of command. You have: Me, my company commander (a Captain), my battalion commander (a Lieutenant Colonel), my group commander (a Colonel), my MACOM commander (a Major General), the Army Chief of Staff (a 4-star General), the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Defense, and my Commander in Chief. Can you please tell me where in my chain of command the Congress fits in there? I'll wait. To sum it all up, individuals in Congress and the Senate are NOT our superiors, but should be respected for their position. Just as I would respect the CEO of McDonald's. Just as I would respect a member of the British Parliament. But, I don't report to them as a superior.
As for me being a First Sergeant, I take my duties seriously. After taking over as First Sergeant, I informed my commanders and CSM of everything that I do in my free time as it relates to activism and Soldier issues. Additionally, I informed my NCOICs that are subordinate to me that the things I write on my blog are MY opinion. I do not influence or encourage any of my Soldiers to vote one way or another. As a matter of fact, I counsel them to vote their conscience. Recently, one of my Soldiers told me he doesn't vote. Appalled, I explained to him the importance of voting. He asked who he should vote for and I didn't tell him who I thought he should vote for. Instead, I asked him what issues are important to him. After he told me, I went to an independent website that informed the public about the positions of the presidential candidates. After taking a short online survey about his political leanings, the candidates were ranked in order of the issues he thought were important. The conclusion pointed to a candidate that I would NEVER vote for in a million years, but I explained to the Soldier THAT is the person he should vote for. I didn't agree with the candidate, but I did not tell my Soldier that. I know how to separate my personal and professional life. I don't use my position of influence in any manner that would bring me dishonor. Needless to say, there is nothing out of place about about my political views while serving as a First Sergeant.
There are many Americans who no longer believe in this war. Some of those Americans are also Soldiers and also have a right to question their Congressman just as I do. I encourage them to as long as they stick to the truth as I have. It is indeed Wexler's job to question the General, provided he do so with accurate information. However, I don't think General Petraeus has any control over what happened in Vietnam and his comments relating to such were completely out of line. I think Wexler and others should continue making fools of themselves with their petty arguments and partisan approaches to failure. His intent was NOT to question the General, who is head and shoulders more competent at waging war than anyone in Congress, but to hype his partisan views as they oppose the President whom he despises. If the General had come to bear bad news, it would have fit into his agenda and he wouldn't have been so combative. Instead, Wexler ignored positive PROOFS about success and the conventional wisdom that the "surge" is a success and went out on his own ignorant rant.
Obviously, I will NOT end my military career until I am ready to do so. I will continue to serve my country with honor and within the confines the military justice system, Army regulations, and US law. I've never advocated for anyone's freedom of speech to be withdrawn and have no plans to do so in the future. I continue with my current course of bringing relevant FACTS to the table as they relate to this war and the military I have devoted my life to. When I decide my military life is over, I will make the decision of persuing a full-time political career (don't count on it). Your suggestion is noted – but cast off.
I set a VERY good example for my Soldiers. I teach them that they do not give up their basic rights when they enlist. I teach them that there is nothing wrong with speaking out against ignorance from the mouths of those who determine our pay raises and benefits. We are in a unique situation in which we get to vote on things that directly affect us as Soldiers. As long as they are operating within the parameters I spoke about earlier, they are encouraged to be active in politics provided they understand the rules. I understand them and you better believe I know where my left and right limits are. I've had commanders in the past try to use their rank to shut me up and make an example out of me for my views. They failed. I live by a creed that my father taught me based off his 32 years of active military service in the Navy: Do the right things always and you'll never have anything to worry about! In order to do the right thing, you have to educate yourself. Ignorance is not an excuse for poor decision making at my level.
I'm curious about what you mean when you say to "start acting like a First Sergeant." How exactly should I be acting? Should I be saying one thing in public and doing quite different in private? Should I encourage my Soldiers to be mindless robots and not think for themselves? Should I not encourage them to educate themselves on the issues and speak out appropriately to their elected officials? Should I encourage them to respect those who have no respect for them? I have all kinds of respect for the vast majority of my elected officials. There are very few that have lost my respect. I could name them here, but I think my blog speaks for itself.
I am not General Petraeus's body guard or mother. I know he can handle himself. It is not HIM I'm worried about but those Soldiers that read my blog. They need to know that what our elected officials did to him was dishonorable and that Petraeus is a good man who earned the rank and position he currently holds. General Petraeus cannot legally come out and speak frankly the way I do to encourage the troops. Remember, he's bound by Article 88. I am not. And I never will be. My OCS and Warrant Officer packets sit unsent in my safe hailing back to a time the thought actually crossed my mind as my leaders encouraged me to do so. If I were to ever become an officer I have no doubt I would be successful, though I would not be able to be as vocal. I don't play the politically correct game. I play the game of life – right and wrong…period!
Your assertion that my rank was given to me "like candy" speak volume about the kind of ignorance I'm dealing with. You know NOTHING about my accomplishments and how I got to where I am. If rank were truly given out like candy, many of my peers would be right next to me. I don't normally toot my own horn, but I got where I am today as fast as I did because I earned it. I busted my ass, did more than I was supposed to do, exceeded every standard laid before, put my troops before myself, and accomplished the mission. And along the way, I mentored Soldiers on how to achieve exactly what I did. I chose the hard assignments instead of resting on my laurels and just getting by. I stood up in the face of overwhelming odds and never compromised my integrity. I have achieved something that VERY FEW people achieve in the military. Had I been doing something wrong, on my website or otherwise, I would not be where I am today.
There is nothing more important to me than the truth. Thankfully for you, I can conduct all my training AND put out the truth while I confront ignorance and partisanship in MY Congress. I don't have to sacrifice my mission for my words. I don't have to sacrifice my words for my mission. I don't know what you were able to accomplish in the time you had in the military (I noticed you failed to provide me with any of your accomplishments or bona fides), but I can sleep well at night knowing that I'm 100% focused on those areas where I am required to be focused.
In conclusion, I can't help but wonder if your comments just fell on deaf ears as well. Perhaps more Americans should be listening more if what you say is true! Also, stay tuned. I'm not done with Wexler nor any other of the cowards in Congress!!
Sincerely,
CJ
In the words of a great President, "Bring it on!"
Posted in Military Perspective
HOOAH!
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Thank God for military men such as you, for it is the *you*s who will pull America's derriere out of the Socialist defeatist fire into which politicians such as Congressman Wexler attempt to thrust us.
To the writer of the email to you CJ ~ yes, there are many Americans who are tired of the war. I'm one of those because I'm TIRED of listening to those, like you, who don't seem to "get it" that we have so much more at stack than all of the political rhetoric and partisan bull hockey. I'm TIRED of our troops having their hands tied. I'm TIRED of our military leaders spending so much time answering to politicians in lieu of leading their Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors to get the job done so they CAN come home. I'm SICK AND TIRED of Americans who, for whatever reason, don't have the fortitude to stand up against the enemy "foreign and domestic" who are giving their all to bring down our nation. I'm TIRED of having to stand and fight against so many "domestic" enemies who denegrate our troops and our nation. And I'm TIRED of those who spend their time and energy being sucked into the SUCK and not supporting Soldiers like CJ and so many many others.
Sheesh!
AND…………….I'm am TIRED of our Congress being so dang disrespectful to our military leaders and troops. Those like the writer of the email who continue to elect, re-elect and support members of Congress who are so disrespectful as well as those in Congress who do so make me sick at my stomach.
Don't worry about the active duty not being allowed to voice political opinions. It's understood that this blog is personal in nature and you are not speaking as an official Army spokesman.
I think it's a bit presumptuous of the sender of that email to think he/she is speaking for ALL Americans. While there are plenty of Americans who are "tired" of the war, there are just as many Americans who understand the implications of defeat and surrender that the sender appears to be advocating. While none of us like the idea of war and the consequences of being involved in a war, many of us are very congnizant of the fact that it's imperative that we allow our Troops to continue their mission and that we stand up to members of Congress like Wexler and let him know loud and clear, that he DOES NOT speak for the majority of Americans.
CJ you handled his education, very well. I know that you take your job as 1SG seriously and that you take pride in ensuring that your Soldiers make informed decisions, ones that are their decisions and not anyone elses. Carry on 1SG, you're doing good!
Well, Leta pretty much summed it up as to what I would say to retired Army person. I'll just add this: To tell you the truth, I'm tired of the war here at home. But that doesn't mean I will ever stop fighting those who disrespect our military. Because it's wrong and until enough folks take action and say enough, it will continue. The days I feel that it is all too much to bear are my strongest days because I get back up and continue on. I just think of our troops who do so much more than than take a trip to DC or make phone calls or write letters to the Congress. My worst experience is having to be face to face with the pinkies…the troops are being fired on. They are standing in front of us and taking the bullets so I can get in my car, drive safely on roads where trash bags along side won't blow up and walk among people who aren't going to blow up and meet with my congress person and speak my mind and not be disappeared that night.
Nope, I will continue the fight.
CJ ~ thanks for posting this. As always, I learned something new. Now I have more facts to place in my quiver.
Well said CJ from an American that still supports the war effort and our military.
Well said CJ. Your response was right on the money. Thanks for sharing this with us. If the emailer had done his/her homework, they would see that ALL of the 'surge' troops will be home this summer. Also the good General has already mapped out a plan to turn over ALL of Iraq to the Iraqie Government by, (are you ready for this) January 2009? (I refer you to chart # 10 in the General's presentation to congress). Hey Hillary, why aren't you jumping for joy? Hey Obama, isn't that what you claim to want? Why isn't this on the front page of the NYT?
Interesting point to note, most of those who complain that they are 'tired' of the war, actually have NOTHING to do with the war. Most of them aren't in the military and never were. None have to fear being drafted or forced to serve in Iraq. Contrast that with the fact that most of us who have been directly effected by war actually want us to finish it … and win it! But we are tired of being called war mongers and other hurtfull names.
Well said, SSgtJ. I've heard that myself from people who are completely disassociated with the war that they are tired of it. I ask them how they could possibly be tired of something that they're aren't involved in (no family members either!). "I'm tired of watching it on the news." Turn it off, I tell them. "I'm tired of people talking about it." Wear ear plugs.
To be fair, we in the military are tired of it too. That doesn't mean we want to fail and just leave. Show me a war that Soldiers fought in that didn't make them tired of combat and I'll show you a giraffe with zebra stripes.
Snooper stole my comment!!
Good job, CJ!
I too am TIRED of people saying they're tired of the war. People with whom I interact daily have quit saying it (or writing it) in front of me – I've pitched too many hissy fits on them. Ignorance and apathy should not be considered excuses for attitudes that are just WRONG! We shouldn't give Congress a pass for their political preening.
May I add, good job CJ !
I really enjoyed reading your post and answer back to this person who thinks that he/she knows all about your freedom of speech or should I say his wanting you to shut up! He is dreaming because you have as much right to speak as anyone of us!
Thanks for explaining that to us about the commissioned officers. I am dumb when it comes to military protocol. I'm glad that you're not commissioned. We would have missed some great blogging from you had you been! Hang tough!!
Great job! You have it together. An Army Mom could only pray that her son (or daughter) had a 1sgt like you.
Well said, CJ! I totally agree with your response and with Leta's comments! I think the "bring on" was "brought on!"
What an amazing response! Wexler and the rest must be certainly allowed to do their jobs and cross examine the general, you are certainly allowed to fill your boots as a citizen/soldier (recall that 'citizen' is firtst. As someone who hasn't always agreed with you, I staunchly support your site and regale anyone with how much I've learned from it from all matters of thinking.
I only wish that our Congress would have as agressively queried the head of the Banking Committee, or whoever should have been watching over the banks as they made all these agressive loans.
Thanks again for this site and all you do!!!!
David
David,
Good point about the banks. I would also add immigration and Social Security into that as well.
That many Americans no longer believe in this war is an understatement – in fact, it's a majority of Americans who no longer believe in this war! It's too bad, however, that we will have to wait for a Beirut-style bombing, where we lose a couple hundred soldiers in a single pop, before we have the guts to put an end to this costly boondoggle.
CF,
People are down hearted about the war, but your view of the American people seems a bit extreme when you consider that McCain is a true contender for the presidency, at least now. If you consider his platform on Iraq, the poll numbers should reflect your position. Why would anyone pledge a vote for McCain?
Who is ever really upbeat to know family and friends are serving in a war?
CF,
My father was in Beirut in 83 and guess where he is now, Iraq. By his own choice, he volunteered to join the Marines and then the Army Reserves.
Some of the mistakes we made was showing the world that if they commit an act of terrorism that we will back down, Beirut and Somalia to name a few. Sure, there might have been times that we lobbed a few missiles/bombs their way, but when we stop our missions because, "we lose a couple hundred soldiers in a single pop" it showed a pattern of weakness.
I detest to think that it will happen again, and for people like you who would rather just wait for my father, brother, uncle and quite a few close friends (yes all over in Iraq right now) to be blown up in one pop, I will do my duty, state side or overseas to try and prevent it from happening.
CJ,
Thanks for remaining a role model for soldiers in a true since, by always being true to yourself!
CF, what you fail to realize (or accept) is that only 14% of Americans want immediate withdrawal. Americans understand the cost of prematurely withdrawing troops. You should get on board.
Well spoken, CJ. I truly think the two Democratic candidates finally get it, that there can be a nearterm solution at hand and that it deserves the support. Both have toned down their talk about an immediate withdrawl. Perhaps now, we can have some more responsible reporting from CNN and Fox.
David
BURN!!! Get that guy to the local burn unit.
I seriously question whether the writer ever was in the Army.
1) There were no details about rank, time in service, deployments/duty stations, etc.
2) Who in the Army abbreviates "1SGT"? It is "1SG".
I don't think Colonel Nathan R. Jessop himself could have said it any better than that.