Generals, Admirals, Secretaries, and other Political Hacks

Note: I wrote the following post back in September 2021, but for some reason never posted it. This occasionally happens, usually because more pressing demands cause me to move on to something else and forget about other less important things, like blog posts. Anyway, while doing some PC housekeeping this morning, I stumbled on this forgotten unposted post. After reading it, though, I decided to post it. I  think it’s important to recall the Biden administration’s incompetent approach to national security typified by its hapless withdrawal from Afghanistan. The tragic event addressed below is simply one among many in which political considerations led to lies, attempted cover-ups, and finally to scapegoating and a refusal to accept responsibility. Given the administration’s current confusing and contradictory messaging regarding our support for a beleaguered and courageous Ukraine, it would seem those in charge have learned nothing from their past mistakes.

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Today America had the opportunity to witness a beautiful example of the politicization of our military. I actually feel a little bit sorry — certainly not a lot — for General McKenzie, USMC, the Commander of Central Command. It would seem the General drew the short straw to be the media flak-catcher for a tragic error that led to the death of seven children and three adults, all innocents, in Kabul by an “errant” drone strike on August 29. Of course, the press conference should have included the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the joint Chiefs, the ones who, along with the White House, waxed eloquently about how “righteous” the attack actually was. These comments were made even after there was some serious concern that perhaps a tragic mistake had been made. The whole truth would probably have remained forever trapped in that special classified file of blunders if someone hadn’t tipped off the New York Times. The paper ran with the story and forced the brass to admit the truth. But the top dogs had been subject to enough bad press lately, so let’s toss CENTCOM to the ravenous puppy dogs of the mainstream media.

In my not-so-humble opinion, were General McKenzie a man of honor he would have resigned long ago rather than go along with President Biden’s idiotic plan-less withdrawal from Afghanistan. It’s not like the results couldn’t have been predicted. They were indeed eminently predictable. Once the president set a definite departure date as his primary goal, those of us who haven’t yet eased into senility knew it would lead to disaster. But like most others at the highest levels in our modern military, McKenzie likely thinks he’s indispensable and his absence would really be missed. This, of course, is patently absurd. If I learned one thing during my years as a naval officer, it’s that I could always be replaced. Many equally or more competent people were always waiting in the wings ready to take over and correct my mistakes. Command, when rightly understood, is always a humbling experience.

The primary target of the drone attack was a man who worked for an aid organization and was trying to help others by taking water to their homes. This was apparently misinterpreted as a delivery of explosives. The error was made by our illustrious over-the-horizon warriors who sit in their comfortable chairs, staring at their computer screens, making life and death decisions with a joystick — okay, it’s life and death for others; in this instance a collection of nameless, faceless Afghanis. The ramifications of these fatal decisions? Other than the death of innocents, nothing else will happen. No one will even know who actually screwed up. As General McKenzie said today, the report of the investigation will be highly classified so don’t expect anything useful. And, of course, there will be no disciplinary action because, well, too many people signed off on the attack, too many people up the entire chain of command. And, anyway, we just had to do something big in Kabul, since so many people were complaining that we could no nothing. As it turned out, we could do something, something horribly evil. And, yes, it was evil because it was likely done under political pressure to create a success in Afghanistan’s capital city. Oh, yes, It will also demonstrate the effectiveness of our over-the-horizon capabilities that will obviate the need for all those pesky troops on the ground.

The release of the admission was well-orchestrated and offered during a Friday afternoon press conference. That’s about the only clever thing the administration did. Personally, I am sickened by the senior officers in our military. How many have resigned in protest during the past twenty years? I can’t think of a single one. Every one of these political hacks, promoted during the past decade, are not the kind of warriors we want in these critical positions. Sadly, I don’t see any change in the offing.