Editorial

Did SOCOM Hire a Woke Commissar?

aThis past week, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) gave way to political pressures again by announcing their new Chief of Diversity & Inclusion on Twitter. The position will be held by Mr. Richard Torres-Estrada.

According to USSOCOM’s Twitter post,

“USSOCOM welcomes our new Chief of Diversity & Inclusion, Mr. Richard Torres-Estrada. We look forward to his contribution in enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of #SOF through diversity of talent, helping us recruit the best of the best. #QuietProfessionals”

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aThis past week, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) gave way to political pressures again by announcing their new Chief of Diversity & Inclusion on Twitter. The position will be held by Mr. Richard Torres-Estrada.

According to USSOCOM’s Twitter post,

“USSOCOM welcomes our new Chief of Diversity & Inclusion, Mr. Richard Torres-Estrada. We look forward to his contribution in enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of #SOF through diversity of talent, helping us recruit the best of the best. #QuietProfessionals”

This is a joke of a position to make politicians on the hill feel better. While I have nothing against Mr. Torres-Estrada, what in the world do we need this position for?

U.S. Army has been around since June 14, 1775 — more than a year before the Declaration of Independence — and never felt the need for such a position until now. But why now? Did President Trump divide the country so badly that now that we have a Democrat in office, we have to appease everyone by making up a fictional position to keep the politicians happy?

Since its official establishment, the U.S. Army has played a vital role in the American nation’s growth and development. Drawing on both long-standing militia traditions and recently introduced professional standards, it achieved the new republic’s independence in an arduous eight-year struggle against Great Britain. At times, the Army provided the lone symbol of nationhood around which patriots rallied. None of which relied on diversity and inclusion.

The Military’s purpose is to “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 the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me.”

How does SOF meet targets and goals for diversity in a highly selective volunteer system? The servicemembers these politicians want to see volunteer simply aren’t volunteering to do the job. It seems that servicemembers who value diversity and inclusion will not find it in SOF, which demands strict conformity within and to a tight culture. It’s like wondering why more white people don’t join the NAACP.

The bottom line is that special forces don’t give a crap about race, religion, gender, sex, or anything else. It’s an all-volunteer force with a strict set of standards. Anyone from anywhere can join if they meet these standards.

So let’s take a quick look at the person they selected, Mr. Torres-Estrada.

The image above was taken directly off Mr. Torres-Estrada’s Facebook page. One person commented, “You should remove this. Your posting shows us all that you are not fit for your job. You are causing division with pathetic postings like this. You should be ashamed of yourself for causing more problems in this country. I hope and pray you will clean up your social media and have respect for others.”

In February 2019, he posted the above drawing showing similarities between communism and democratic socialism.

In 2018 Mr. Richard Torres-Estrada posted a GIF implying he was preparing “weed.” Maybe we should start with a drug test for the new hire.

Again, SOCOM tweeted out, “We look forward to his contribution in enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of #SOF through diversity of talent, helping us recruit the best of the best.” First of all, this person doesn’t recruit anyone, and anyone wishing to join SOF wouldn’t listen to the career HR person anyway.

Is there not a qualified candidate for the job? Someone that isn’t preparing weed or has strong political feelings. Shouldn’t this job require a very neutral and objective person? But then again, I think the job is a massive waste of money to keep politicians quiet. What’s the number of the fraud waste and abuse department?

Rest In Peace Full Metal Jacket’s Gunnery Sergeant Hartman who said, “There is no racial bigotry here. Here, you are all equally worthless.”

About John Black View All Posts

John Black is a retired Special Forces "Green Beret" with more than 20 years of experience in the military at both 5th SFG(A) and 3rd SFG(A). Additionally, he has ten combat deployments in places such as Iraq, Kurdistan, Afghanistan, and countries throughout Africa. He has a degree in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis and is currently working on his Masters.

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