RETIRED CAREER OFFICERS AND POLITICAL ACTION

Yesterday I was asked about the propensity of Cold War career military retired officers to take appropriate political action to preserve the benefits hard earned that may now be threatened unless the voices of the (potentially) afflicted are heard.

I do not speak for the the “class” but as an individual.

Perhaps I was too strongly conditioned to comply with the constitutionally explicit expression and direction of civilian control of the military.

Beyond my time in (Vietnam) combat where in many cases micromanaged White House guidance, National Command Authority and various political inputs (orders, rules of engagement and “guidance”) were given to us as (tactical) objectives, my studies at the War College included reading thousands of pages, much seminar time and crafting many “papers” which further shaped my “thinking” on responsibility to accomplish the task directed in accordance with “duly accepted process” of our system of government.

Not much (if any) of our time was spent in learning how to influence legislation nor executive policy directives.

By (my) design, I never had a functional tour in the Pentagon. Perhaps that is an oxymoron. The resulting condition for me when MOAA puts forth a call to action is to send correspondence to my elected representatives. But I do not give testimony, march in demonstrations, lobby others, nor do I communicate with old shipmates, urging “all hands on deck” to repel attacks on our benefits.

By osmosis, I am aware that MOAA holds transition training for folks departing the military. I did not use this resource. I believe MOAA’s transition assistance is mostly focused on helping folks recast their military accomplishment in terms new employers could understand.

Perhaps MOAA should plant some seeds addressing the topic of grass roots campaigning for members in transition, so they would be better equipped for the task of preserving “entitlements”.

In my case it would have taken a lot of reprogramming to overcome the 26 years of active duty with the goal of making me a political activist, even for my own benefits.

CAPT Paul Barrish, USN (RET)

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