Reprogramming Needed
Posted by Warren Enos on 04 Jul 2009 | Tagged as: Discussion Items
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. continue reading