WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has written an unusual open letter to all those in uniform, warning them to stay out of politics as the nation approaches a presidential election in which the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be a central, and certainly divisive, issue. "The U.S. military must remain apolitical at all times and in all ways," wrote the chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, the nation's highest-ranking officer. "It is and must always be a neutral instrument of the state, no matter which party holds sway.".... The essay can be seen as a reflection of the deep concern among senior officers that the military, which is paying the highest price in carrying out national security policy, may be drawn into politicking this year.... In particular, members of the Joint Chiefs have expressed worries this election year about the influence of retired officers who advise political campaigns, who have publicly called for a change in policy or who serve as television commentators on the war.
As a former Army Reserve officer, I understand the need and the reason for an apolitical military. You can use one of any number of banana republics or unstable Third World thugocracies as a shining example of what can happen when the military becomes involved in politics. The last thing ANY American should want is to see our armed forces playing a role in who wins the election in November. Yet few Americans have a greater stake in this election than our men and women in uniform. Given the way our military has been used and abused in Iraq, those were used and abused can't reasonably be expected to simply shut up and follow orders...or can they?
The idea that American soldiers shouldn't be politically active is an idea that I find personally abhorrent. Essentially, what this means is that we have no problem with our sons and daughters doing our fighting and dying, but they really need to just shut up and let the adults determine the political course of this country. Uh, yeah...and how's that democracy you're fighting for working out for you??
Today is a day when we should be honoring those who have fought and died defending this country. It should also be a day when we celebrate the freedom that flows from those sacrifices...unless you're a member of our Armed Forces, in which cases y'all need to just shut the Hell up and do what you're told.
Your country doesn't pay you to think.
