Top Brass: Military Should Stay Out of Politics

by SOFREP Apr 14, 2016

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Top Brass: Military Should Stay Out of Politics

The highest-ranking U.S. military officer is ordering commanders to butt out of the current presidential campaign—even if their expertise could correct misguided ideas about national security.

This presidential campaign has introduced some of the boldest—some would say craziest—national security proposals, including reinstituting torture, defunding NATO, and bombing the self-proclaimed Islamic State until “sand glows in the dark.”

For Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the increased call on the military to referee campaign ideas is such a problem that he has quietly urged commanders to stay out of the political fray. This week, he is expected to also issue a memo outlining to generals how to navigate the current political discourse.

Image courtesy of businessinsider.com

COMMENTS

caseymac · 4 years ago

One (read a person) can not totally separate the two (meaning military & politics). That is why it is vital to have someone who has been there as CINC, as we have learned tragically over the past decades I would vote for General Mattis were he to run. Casey - out
Yankee Papa · 4 years ago

"The military must be fit to fight... It is never fit to rule..." The military must take its orders from civilian leaders. Congress has the "power of the purse" to stop the military from doing anything of which it does not approve.
The problem is that many politicos who expect soldiers to risk death... are absolutely unwilling to risk their phony-baloney jobs to do what is right... rather than what is popular or expedient...
-Yankee Papa-
Matt C · 4 years ago

I understand. I also firmly believe that if elected officials decide to go that path, once the decision is made, step back and allow the Military to accomplish its mission.
Camo Steve · 4 years ago

"War is the continuation of politics by other means."
This is not to say that I like some of the changes that politicians are forcing on the military at the moment. However, we need to understand that in our republic, elected leaders/politicians will dictate the military and other elements of national power in order to achieve an end political result (winning a war for example).
Matt C · 4 years ago

Good advice, now if we could only get politicians to stay out of the Military's way.