Politics

Combat veteran Rep. Duckworth worried Congress is ignoring importance of civilian-run military

by SOFREP Dec 8, 2016

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Combat veteran Rep. Duckworth worried Congress is ignoring importance of civilian-run military

Rep. Tammy Duckworth worries her congressional colleagues don’t fully appreciate the importance of a civilian-run military. As a combat-wounded Iraq War veteran and incoming Illinois senator, she finds that troubling.

“I believe so strongly that the military is subservient to civilian leaders,” she said Wednesday. “I went to fight in a war I didn’t believe was one we should be engaged in, but the president and Congress believed it was the right thing to do. So I’m proud of that. I would go back.

“Every part of my being as a former military officer says what (Congress is) doing now is wrong.”

Duckworth, D-Ill., is referring to legislation expected to be passed this week, which would ease the confirmation process for retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to become the next secretary of defense.

COMMENTS

Wet · 3 years ago

Just a comment on Duckworths posed up pic.
Kristie G · 3 years ago

ehhh? what'd you leave out.. I missed it
Yankee Papa · 3 years ago

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...Dwight Eisenhower resigned as head of NATO to run for President (both parties had tried to recruit him...) Sometimes soldiers make lousy politicians (see U.S. Grant), but with a couple of problems, Ike proved to definitely be an exception.
...Germany and Japan had active duty officers as their Defense Ministers. Not a good idea. Active duty Admiral as head of CIA is one thing... head of Defense Department is another.
...A more disturbing example was Al Haig serving as Chief of Staff to Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford... while still on active duty. COS to the President is by its very nature a massively political position. Some (who had nothing against Haig himself) were disturbed by the only visible separation between the active duty general and the political chieftain... being a Brooks Brothers suit.
...His moving from White House COS to NATO seemed to be a reward for "political service..." Going from general to politico back to general made some of the more thoughtful types in the military a touch queasy... While Secretary of State and eyeing the Presidency from retirement not a problem... going from general to politico, to general to politico definitely blurred some lines.
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https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
-Yankee Papa-
Jerry Sullivan · 3 years ago

All due respect but relax Senator Duckworth, don't go Pelosi on us!
Wet · 3 years ago

Another pose of opportunity pic.....and she especially believes it now , because she is a civilian.
Roger, I left out leader.
On purpose.