'Esprit de Corps' is Down with the Flu

The American Military is suffering and Gen Mattis would be well advised to ask Parzival's Question, "What Ails Thee Uncle", before the combined might of America is sent for bed-rest. Many a customer in the Tavern has noted the disgraceful happenings in the Oz military, which, let us be honest, is a small but often useful force for 'good', but in serious internal trouble that cause vomiting and fevers.  America has similar problems but writ much larger.

The Obama era saw devastation wreaked upon the US Military that few external enemies could have hoped for. And without shots being fired. 

“I Am Muslim First” Fort Hood Terrorist Claims
He Acted to Protect Islamic Law.

That is if one discounts the Ft. Hood massacre which saw a Muslim Major kill unarmed military troops.

Well could one ask, what did they expect? 

We have Muslims on the Oz forces in some sort of  national military death-wish. 

Thanatos is affecting the minds and hearts and souls. We tie our hands behind our own backs.

Militaries have 'educational institutes', some quite famous. Here in Oz we have Duntroon, where an annual media-fest of scandalous behaviour is exposed.

In America the Army has 'West Point', the equivalent of Britain's Sandhurst. 

The cream of America's warrior youth are allowed into its programs, there to be trained in military matters, doctrines, strategies and tactics and its 'ethos' of Duty, Honour and  Country, loyalty and self-sacrifice.

And, we might ask, how is that going?

Not very well it seems. 

It isn't just Muslim Majors  in the US Army and Muslim Captains  in the Oz Navy that are a distinct worry. There are the gays, transgenders (Over $1 MILLION spent on surgery !! ?), but the array of other undesirables who do not share the values and virtues of the Military life. 

Just as schools today are feminism and leftism dominated, so do the young people who are forced through them like mincemeat to be turned out as patties carry those diseases with them into 'higher' seats of learning. 

Including the Military. 

It often takes several years to undo the damage, but that is dependant upon the leaders, instructors and commanders of such Institutions. It is part of their job to 'inspire' and 'educate' ....  and weed-out the chaff.

They fail. Sometimes.

The bureaucracy stiffles action: 'placemen' get appointed by political chicanery.

Mark Alexander brought some news of disgrace into the Tavern, seeking some cleansing Ale.

West Point Digs Deeper Hole on Cadet Communist

Time to determine how deep Obama's deep-state socialists have been imbedded in the ranks of American military leadership.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about a West Point 2016 graduate, now-2LT Spenser Rapone, who, despite his brash history displaying contempt for our nation, and his advocacy for communism, was allowed to graduate.

As I noted, now-retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Robert Heffington, an Academy history professor in 2015, had issued a sworn affidavit alerting senior USMA command about Rapone.

 https://patriotpost.us/articles/51824

LTC Heffington was an infantry officer before completing graduate work and accepting a post at the USMA. He was known by those under his command, and by his USMA students, to be a tough and uncompromising man of superior integrity. In his complaint he concluded,

“I cannot reconcile the image of a first class cadet at West Point with the things he has posted online for the world to see. To me, these are red flags that cannot be ignored, and I fail to see how this individual can possibly graduate and become a commissioned officer in six months.”

But they did ignore it.

More recently, Rapone, now assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, has boldly posted his hatred for his commander in chief, SecDef James Mattis, and other senior military leadership on public social media accounts. That constitutes a clear and overt UCMJ Article 88 violation: “Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense … shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

West Point command responded to the exposure of Rapone’s insubordination and UCMJ violations with an official statement asserting, “Rapone’s actions in no way reflect the values of the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Army,”

Er... Duh  Bring on Mandy Rice Davies. 

and that “Rapone’s chain of command is aware of his actions and is looking into the matter.”

Responding to that lame assertion, LTC Heffington sent a letter to his USMA class of 1997, noting his “intense devotion and loyalty to West Point,” but detailing the inaction over Rapone and how that reflected the 

degraded “leadership” culture at West Point.

Heffington wrote, “I firmly believe West Point is a national treasure and that it can and should remain a vitally important source of well trained, disciplined, highly educated Army officers and civilian leaders. However, during my time on the West Point faculty … I personally witnessed a series of fundamental changes at West Point that have eroded it to the point where I question whether the institution should even remain open. 

The recent coverage of 2LT Spenser Rapone — an avowed Communist and sworn enemy of the United States — dramatically highlighted this disturbing trend. 

Given my recent tenure on the West Point faculty and my direct interactions with Rapone, his ‘mentors,’ and with the Academy’s leadership, I believe I can shed light on how someone like Rapone could possibly graduate.”

However, Rapone’s case is just the latest indicator of military academy degradation under Barack Obama’s regime. Recall that The Patriot Post took on the command staff at the Air Force Academy in 2012, when Obama’s appointees there quietly endeavored to 

remove “So Help Me God” from oaths 

in the cadet handbook “to Support and Defend” our Constitution.

Responding to LTC Heffington, USMA Superintendent, LTG Robert Caslen, appointed by Obama in 2013, issued a formal statement, noting that he had been inundated with protests by USMA alumni, but could not say anything while investigations were being conducted. According to Caslen, “Responding to concerns raised about the quality of JSMA graduates takes time, which includes gathering all the facts and taking a hard look at whether USMA is doing everything it can to develop leaders of character…

Caslen appealed, “Help me prevent the negativity associated with the alleged behavior of one graduate,” and insisted the actions of one don’t reflect the culture at USMA and code of “Honor, Duty and Country.”

On this point, I would agree with Caslen, but the issue is not 2LT Rapone. He came to USMA from the enlisted ranks, having previously deployed to Afghanistan as an Army Ranger with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Notably, he was “released for standards” from his regiment, meaning there were performance or conduct issues. 

So, how does a troop  with that record get to Officer Training?  

Need one ask. Political shennanigans, of course.

He gained acceptance to USMA with the endorsement of Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA), who has since attempted to distance himself from Rapone. I believe Rapone is likely suffering some pathology.

Again, LTG Robert Caslen’s assertions notwithstanding, Rapone is NOT the problem, and in the words of a wise old mentor, 

“When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”

Bottom line: The investigation that needed to be done was two years ago, based on LTC Heffington’s original affidavit concerning Rapone. The investigation that really needs to be conducted now is why that didn’t happen — and of much greater significance, determining how deep Obama’s deep-state socialists have been imbedded in the ranks of American military leadership.

Yes, yes, I know. One Swallow doth not make a Summer. But we know when Summer is ending. The darkness comes earlier by the day.  And darkness is falling.

Holes and digging require free hands in any case, and the politicians have had plenty of time to bind people in high places.

Todd Starnes had a tale to tell too, of the Air Force this time. 

Air Force Punishes Colonel who Refused to Affirm Gay Marriage

The Air Force has punished a highly-decorated and respected colonel after he refused to publicly affirm the same-sex spouse of a retiring subordinate.

Col. Leland Bohannon, who was on the verge of being promoted to a one-star general, was suspended from command and orders were handed down recommending he not be promoted.

“His career is likely over and he will likely have to retire as a colonel instead of as a general,” First Liberty Institute attorney Michael Berry told the Todd Starnes Show.

First Liberty Institute, one of the nation’s most prominent religious liberty law firms, is representing the distinguished military officer.

“This sends a clear message - if you do not have the politically correct viewpoint, you are not welcome in the military,” Berry said. “The military is no longer a place of diversity and inclusion if you are a person who holds to a traditional belief on marriage.”

 https://www.toddstarnes.com/column/air-force-punishes-colonel-who-refused-to-affirm-gay-marriage

The Air Force did not respond to interview requests. 

Col. Bohannon has flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and he is the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal.

Last May the colonel declined to sign a certificate of spouse appreciation for a retiring master sergeant’s same-sex spouse.

He was unable to do so because it would have caused him to affirm a definition of marriage contrary to his sincerely held religious beliefs.

First Liberty Institute argues there is no Air Force Instruction requiring a commander to personally sign a spouse certificate. 

Col. Bohannon sought the advice of his Command Chaplain as well as the Staff Judge Advocate. He was advised to request a religious accommodation. However, that request was returned six weeks later “without action.”

A two-star general signed the certificate instead. 

“(The colonel) went out of his way to make sure his Airman was accommodated,” Berry told the Todd Starnes Show.

But when the master sergeant learned Col. Bohannon did not personally sign the spouse certificate, the Airman filed an Equal Opportunity complaint.

The Airman alleged the devout Christian colonel had “unlawfully discriminated against him on the basis of his sexual orientation.”

The EO investigator determined the colonel had discriminated against the gay Airman – and went on to say that “even had the accommodation been granted, Col. Bohannon would nonetheless be guilty of unlawful discrimination.”

“You have a case where a decorated officer like Col. Bohannon demonstrates integrity and character to go out of his way to accommodate one of his Airmen and the Air Force will not do the same for him,” Berry told the Todd Starnes Show.

First Liberty Institute is urging the Air Force to reverse its decision – charging the military violated their client’s Constitutional rights.

You will all be very aware that I have the greatest respect for the Profession of Arms, for most military arms in the Anglosphere, and for many a fine soldier, airman ad yeah, even fishead, and it saddens an old Knight to see this sickness that has been deliberately introduced. The 'Esprit' is sickening all over. 

We cannot, MUST not allow good Knights to turn bad.

Drinks for the chaps with the sad news. Good cleansing Ale from my Supplier will help them go back to fighting the good fight.

Asperges me.

Pax.



Addendum.

The frothing at the mouth by some annoyed souls outside the Tavern's hedges, was audible inside the US room this evening.  Quite a road of angst.

Most of them seemed incensed by the rather aside criticism of modern schooling, for some reason. Not that such stopped their criticism of me. Hahaha.

Few seemed to have actually listened to the two American gentlemen or read what they said.

Here are a few of the choice phrases that wafted in:

What have you been smoking this morning?

Drivel

can you stop your political fu(..)ing bulls(.)it 

Dominated by feminism and liberalism???? It's 2017!!!!! Are you fu(..)ing kidding me???? Regardless of the content of this right wing drivel, your comment just highlighted how far past ok you are. 

Someone doesn't like women being treated equally in the forces then. it's diversity AND EQUALITY.

Or in schools it seems!!!

he just dresses up his own religious extremism as "educated fascist"

Educated fascist? Hitler was also an educated fascist.

Hahahaha. You just know them by their fruits. Usually prunes. 

just rabidly religious with an obvious agenda

Because my opinions are far more inclusive of all human beings, and yours aren't, in fact yours border on hate speech, .... , my guess is you don't care, which would seem to sum up your basic personality, you lack empathy.

Bless you Bro. 

Seems to me to just a load of froth with no substance or understanding, but then I know nothing, according to the so called upper echelon.

The only thing I am currently thinking is that you are a cretin of the highest order. Feminism wouldn't have to exist if men like you weren't up your own arse thinking you are better than everyone else.

Better than a cretin of the lowest order, I suppose. 

take your condescension elsewhere. Get with the times grandad, or drop dead. Either or would suffice.

you’re not worth it mate.

Right wing garbage.

fascist rhetoric

Now, where do we hear this from, all the time? 

All of the comments came from folk with British military backgrounds (no fisheads though), female as well as male, who do not wish to actually make a comment on this site but prefer to froth on FB outside the hedges.  I have refrained here from identifying them. Considering that the subject matter (and the aside about schooling) was relevant in the American context, and not even referring to the UK, it is astonishing that they took such umbrage.

SJWs know no borders. !

I shall send some orange juice out to them.  Clearly they are short of Vitamin C.  British winter is almost upon them. I would put seats out there for them as it is quite warm today, but hey, I lack empathy.

Be that as it may, some 585 people dropped in for a pint in the last 7 hours. So far.

:)