By Mark S. Robertson, Candidate for Nevada’s Third Congressional District
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ought to be ashamed of himself for his disgraceful treatment of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coasties of the United States military. He is disregarding the 246-year military tradition of remaining politically neutral. By promoting left-wing philosophies of identity politics and critical race theory, Secretary Austin baselessly slanders many valiant men and women who selflessly serve our nation.
During my 30 years in the U.S. Military, I was honored to serve with women and men of all backgrounds, races, religions, and political parties. We weren’t defined by race or gender but by our devotion to duty and love of country. We considered ourselves “green” as we shared the experiences and challenges of defending America. I never met General Austin, but based on him making four stars I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he loves his country and its military as much as I do. However, I cannot sit quietly by as he uses his position to promote left-wing ideas that will injure our country and our Military.
Lloyd Austin has a distorted view of the military. He took the extreme measure of ordering a worldwide pause in military activities with a “Leadership Stand-Down”, threatening the careers of men and women who dare to disagree with his “Woke” vision of the Department of Defense. Secretary Austin’s actions essentially declare to the world that our military ranks are filled with extremists who “actively espouse discrimination, hate, and harassment against others”. This politically motivated lie taints service members, past and present, with a false claim of racism. It is destructive to morale and reduces readiness of the armed forces.
The Uniform Code of Military Justice forbids discrimination. Honorable officers and non-coms (NCOs) in each service branch do not tolerate division within the ranks. These guardians of American freedom fiercely protect the integrity and honor of the United States military. We owe them a debt of gratitude and respect. The US military is considered not just the greatest fighting force in the world but also the greatest integration machine in the USA for many years. Why? Because it has promoted the right values and the right people and churned-out amazing citizens.
The DOD is not perfect. Never has been, never will be. But it functions better than almost any other governmental organization in the USA, and the main reason is the people. Getting and keeping the right people has always been the right strategy for success. Weeding out those who promote and act on any form of political extremism (left or right) is imperative. Our officers and NCOs have been doing this since George Washington formed our first Army in 1775. They do not need a woke political appointee threatening to destroy the careers of those who think differently than him.
Secretary Austin seeks to bring the same divisive woke philosophies and cancel-culture into the world’s finest military. Our foes rejoice, but I do not. I have great confidence in the men and women who voluntarily don the uniforms of the United States military. They know what is right. They will keep faith with the American people and honor American values. They will continue to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. As. Will. I.
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Mark Robertson is a retired member of the US ARMY. Use of his military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or the US ARMY.
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