Bob's Place

This “unthinkable” topic has been under discussion in military circles for several weeks now. For those not in the military, at my rank as a Major, I “sit in the room, but not at the table, with Colonels and Generals, but I walk with Lieutenants, Captains and Sergeants.” If you can follow that expression, you will understand what I need to say. The military is going to become extremely “risk averse” under a Kerry administration. Those discussions, of “what we need to do” are taking place as I write. The GWOT is extremely successful solely because soldiers are doing things that are beyond military orders or a civilian’s comprehension. Soldiers will only continue to do this because we believe this is the right war, at the right time, at the right place. Many leaders, including myself, have often stated that “we would lead our men to hell for President Bush.” That is the definition of leadership. No Officer or President can “order” a soldier into harms way, you have to lead them.

If this becomes the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time, myself and other commissioned and non-commissioned officers, will not place our comrades in harm’s way. Lawful orders will always be obeyed, however, they will be obeyed exactly as given, nothing more and nothing less. John Kerry will lead the military with his example from thirty years ago, “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake? (April 22, 1971) . G-d save the United States.

# posted by Bob Taylor @ 9:00 PM