Fantastic piece. And written to strike the root of the problem vs the branches. The basis of failure extends beyond the institution of the military, its societal. The members of the military, though nuanced, are a reflection of the society at large, and as Americans, we have lost our values that forged us as what was once recognized as being American. Until these values are realized, or instilled, or respected again, I feel there is little hope in righting the ship.
LTC Brad, This is a great article emanating from a person of character best suited as a Commander.
I do think the powers that be will interpret this article as a evidence of "widespread insider threat" as that is the nature of the leaders we currently have.
Your solution of "wholesale reevaluation of our Professional Military Education programs" should have a focus on the nation's founding, founding documents and principles.
I have sense and agree with your reading that the military is a threat to the people more so than a defender of the people. I was sitting in the Chow Hall at an AFB and was thinking these people would round up the citizenry just the other day.
Lastly, I think your developed insights and analysis can be a mirrored analysis of legislatures, lawyers, judges/Justices, religious leaders and the medical community.
These last few years told me that the decades of humiliation thrust up Germany was unfair as any nations could fall prey to tyranny.
Thanks for writing that. I hope it gets widespread circulation. I have forwarded to the guys in my squadron who have fought the mandate and will forward to my buddies who are in leadership who I think can handle it. The problem is so much more systemic than the mandate. That is just a symptom of the rot (albeit a very serious symptom). It is reassuring to know that there are other people out there who are thinking the same thoughts and working through them in a rational, well tested manner. You showed humility and restraint (or maybe your better half played the roll of editor as my wife has often done these past couple years) which is critical to moving the needle. And we need to move the needle in a big way.
Brad you are a true American hero. Thank you for explaining so well what so many have perceived but not been able to articulate. Your insight and example are a beacon of hope in a dark and confusing time. Thank you for your courage and inspiration.
I cannot merely comment here. I restacked your article in my notes because there were too many statements I felt should be highlighted to stand out. I have a daughter that has accepted a ROTC scholarship at a military leadership university this fall, and before she commissions in 2027 I aspire for her to be led by restored military service. Our 2024 U.S. President needs to declare a national emergency within all the military branches of service, and with his emergency executive powers he needs to newly honor discharged heroes, force many retirements, and reset the military with leadership that restores its level of service based on its values and principles. Our national defense is dependent on a strong POTUS 2024.
Thank you for putting a word on this feeling of disgust and distrust that I have been feeling as a recalcitrant refunick.
As someone else said, the moral fail of the past years happened across society. Across the whole of western societies, actually.
To me this seems to be the result of what Yuri Bezmenov was describing as the "demoralisation" phase of the subversion of the west into communism.
As fat and entertained societies (I am a European living in Australia), we have abdicated our individual responsibility of keeping an eye on politics in order to maintain and preserve our democracies.
This opened the door to indoctrination and manipulation of the masses through schools, TV etc. The dumbing down of the masses in other words.
The moral fail was highlighted by the COVID years, but preceded them and is ongoing.
Now, I am afraid the only way is down. We need to crash and burn and then, and only then, we'll rise again, if we survive what is to come.
On the flip side, this injection thing is a de facto selection of the morally fittest, which is a very dark silver lining...
"The vast majority of currently serving commanders need to also be removed from their posts. Many of them need to be removed from the military as well."
Really excellent piece. I think the development of self-awareness is crucial for moral courage. I have absolutely no doubt there is a festering resentment in the military right now, I've heard the same from an icu nurse who said that 'since covid' there is a simmering anger and resentment amongst nurses in her unit. Their moral injury is probably more acute than in the military as their role as perps is likely higher with much more trauma witnessed as a consequence of their cowardice. However, I don't think many would be able to truly identify their resentment as moral injury. If you asked them they'd correctly identify 'managers' as the source of their resentment but not make the connection as to why they despise them so much (and for lack of this self awareness and ability to articulate the inner workings of their soul would probably just grasp for an off the shelf stock excuse of still being angry about not enough ppe 3 years ago or something). But, as you note, this final step of self awareness is terrifying, as the risks of identity and career are too great. So what are we to do?!
Brad, I have information on Havana Syndrome you need to know about. My email is rm.33.323.rm@gmail.com. Phone number 719-250-6820. My name is Matthew Roberts. It's illegal Neuro studies being conducted on US veterans and DoD personal. It's being done by NGO'S. I need to send you what I sent to NCIS/OSI
While I applaud your actions, I find the focus narrow. Yes, indeed our military needs a code of ethics realignment with our Constitution, however it is mere symptom of a much greater problem.
WeThePeople have virus loose in our country. NOT COVID, it is that of dual allegiance. Without addressing this issue, fixing the military is simply symptom management.
Fixing the military is just one part. There are many, I’ll address one omitted from focus.
The VA is cesspool, seething for decades. Vets seen as guinea pigs for medical training. Many are addicted to opiates due to VA distribution. Moral injury you reference is clinical & correct, however it clearly misses the human & deep suicidal effects. Veterans are dying daily from dilemmas that creep into their dreams nightly. Their pain can be seen on many street corners, while few notice, less care. Wanna fix the moral dilemma, you’ll need to address the VA as well. Too many stories, too many lost… Good point of reference in re: the VA, is Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn’s expose’… “Friendly Fire / Death Delay and Dismay at the VA” (2014). The problem is far worse. Read and Imagine.
Finally, the elephant in the room…
What does this military group stand for? Me, I’m AmericansFirst NOT AmericaFirst, as I’m not sure what America has become…
The mis/dis/mal/information is overwhelming the public addicted to their programming devices. In microcosm, the military as well. I’m Constitutionalist former Officer, disabled vet & left the military, in the 80’s for the exact same issue. Lack of Ethics in Command. I spent several years with vets who had no where to turn to… Their souls devastated. Enough said for now… The problem is far greater & NOT addressed.
My humble plea…
Restore our Constitution to prior 12/23/2001 (PatriotAct) and you have my support. Our Constitution, thus Constitutional Republic has been under siege by dual allegiances since… A long time… 1913 to today, with many incursions in between.
Are you willing to broaden your focus or will this effort remain a compartmentalized operation?
I look forward to your & anyone else’s thoughts.
Please know… These comments are meant to help. Synthesize as you wish. Blessings.
A key question for me is when to obey an order and when to obey conscience. The military code seems to be in conflict with Christianity. I Googled what's the definition of a lawful order in the military, and this is the top result: In sum, an order is presumed lawful if it has a valid military purpose and is a clear, precise, narrowly drawn mandate. United States v. Moore, 58 M.J. 466 (C.A.A.F. 2003). THE DICTATES OF A PERSON'S CONSCIENCE, RELIGION, OR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY CANNOT EXCUSE DISOBEDIENCE. [emphasis added]. I’m not a Catholic, but Catholic theologians do a good job, in many cases, of applying sound scholarship to the teachings of the Bible. The Catholic Catechism on Moral Conscience is a good example. Here are a few pertinent phrases from Article 6, Moral Conscience. "Glossary. Conscience: The interior voice of a human being, within whose heart the inner law of God is inscribed. [1776] Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which HE MUST OBEY [emphasis added]. Its voice ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment…For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God… [1777] Moral conscience, present at the heart of the person, enjoins him at the appropriate moment to do good and to avoid evil…When he listens to his conscience, the prudent man can HEAR GOD SPEAKING [emphasis added]. [1782] MAN HAS THE RIGHT TO ACT IN CONSCIENCE AND IN FREEDOM SO AS PERSONALLY TO MAKE MORAL DECISIONS. HE MUST NOT BE FORCED TO ACT CONTRARY TO HIS CONSCIENCE [emphasis added]. Nor must he be prevented from acting according to his conscience, especially in religious matters." I do not suggest that military personnel should disobey orders for minor reasons, because it would be impossible to maintain unit cohesiveness and operational effectiveness that way. However, when a person is convinced by his extensive research, drawing on the clinical results of many doctors, reading studies, listening to a variety of experts in the field, that they are not at significant risk of harm from COVID-19 disease, that if they get it there are many safe and effective early treatment medications for it, that there have been a huge number of injury reports on the VAERS website from the vaccine, which would normally result in the withdrawal of a product from the market, etc., that the very nature of the LNP/mRNA platform is to generate foreign proteins in the body which cause autoimmune reactions, then to obey an order to get the vaccine is asking someone to inflict intentional harm to himself without any valid or reasonable purpose. and "valid military purpose" is one of the qualities of which a lawful order must consist. So military personnel have the right to resist the order for lacking "valid military purpose", and I would add that they must also resist because the law of God as revealed in their conscience must take precedence over a military order.
Fantastic piece. And written to strike the root of the problem vs the branches. The basis of failure extends beyond the institution of the military, its societal. The members of the military, though nuanced, are a reflection of the society at large, and as Americans, we have lost our values that forged us as what was once recognized as being American. Until these values are realized, or instilled, or respected again, I feel there is little hope in righting the ship.
LTC Brad, This is a great article emanating from a person of character best suited as a Commander.
I do think the powers that be will interpret this article as a evidence of "widespread insider threat" as that is the nature of the leaders we currently have.
Your solution of "wholesale reevaluation of our Professional Military Education programs" should have a focus on the nation's founding, founding documents and principles.
I have sense and agree with your reading that the military is a threat to the people more so than a defender of the people. I was sitting in the Chow Hall at an AFB and was thinking these people would round up the citizenry just the other day.
Lastly, I think your developed insights and analysis can be a mirrored analysis of legislatures, lawyers, judges/Justices, religious leaders and the medical community.
These last few years told me that the decades of humiliation thrust up Germany was unfair as any nations could fall prey to tyranny.
Ronald White, MD
LTC, USA Retired
Thanks for writing that. I hope it gets widespread circulation. I have forwarded to the guys in my squadron who have fought the mandate and will forward to my buddies who are in leadership who I think can handle it. The problem is so much more systemic than the mandate. That is just a symptom of the rot (albeit a very serious symptom). It is reassuring to know that there are other people out there who are thinking the same thoughts and working through them in a rational, well tested manner. You showed humility and restraint (or maybe your better half played the roll of editor as my wife has often done these past couple years) which is critical to moving the needle. And we need to move the needle in a big way.
Thank you for diving into the depths of moral injury and shining light on its tragic effects.
Brad you are a true American hero. Thank you for explaining so well what so many have perceived but not been able to articulate. Your insight and example are a beacon of hope in a dark and confusing time. Thank you for your courage and inspiration.
I cannot merely comment here. I restacked your article in my notes because there were too many statements I felt should be highlighted to stand out. I have a daughter that has accepted a ROTC scholarship at a military leadership university this fall, and before she commissions in 2027 I aspire for her to be led by restored military service. Our 2024 U.S. President needs to declare a national emergency within all the military branches of service, and with his emergency executive powers he needs to newly honor discharged heroes, force many retirements, and reset the military with leadership that restores its level of service based on its values and principles. Our national defense is dependent on a strong POTUS 2024.
Thank you for this. I plan to reference ADP 6-22 during my board of inquiry on May 23rd.
I am morally injured.
Thank you for putting a word on this feeling of disgust and distrust that I have been feeling as a recalcitrant refunick.
As someone else said, the moral fail of the past years happened across society. Across the whole of western societies, actually.
To me this seems to be the result of what Yuri Bezmenov was describing as the "demoralisation" phase of the subversion of the west into communism.
As fat and entertained societies (I am a European living in Australia), we have abdicated our individual responsibility of keeping an eye on politics in order to maintain and preserve our democracies.
This opened the door to indoctrination and manipulation of the masses through schools, TV etc. The dumbing down of the masses in other words.
The moral fail was highlighted by the COVID years, but preceded them and is ongoing.
Now, I am afraid the only way is down. We need to crash and burn and then, and only then, we'll rise again, if we survive what is to come.
On the flip side, this injection thing is a de facto selection of the morally fittest, which is a very dark silver lining...
This article BLEW MY MIND! Thank you Brad for shining a light on another important issue.
Thank you for this. Indeed:
"The vast majority of currently serving commanders need to also be removed from their posts. Many of them need to be removed from the military as well."
Really excellent piece. I think the development of self-awareness is crucial for moral courage. I have absolutely no doubt there is a festering resentment in the military right now, I've heard the same from an icu nurse who said that 'since covid' there is a simmering anger and resentment amongst nurses in her unit. Their moral injury is probably more acute than in the military as their role as perps is likely higher with much more trauma witnessed as a consequence of their cowardice. However, I don't think many would be able to truly identify their resentment as moral injury. If you asked them they'd correctly identify 'managers' as the source of their resentment but not make the connection as to why they despise them so much (and for lack of this self awareness and ability to articulate the inner workings of their soul would probably just grasp for an off the shelf stock excuse of still being angry about not enough ppe 3 years ago or something). But, as you note, this final step of self awareness is terrifying, as the risks of identity and career are too great. So what are we to do?!
Brad, I have information on Havana Syndrome you need to know about. My email is rm.33.323.rm@gmail.com. Phone number 719-250-6820. My name is Matthew Roberts. It's illegal Neuro studies being conducted on US veterans and DoD personal. It's being done by NGO'S. I need to send you what I sent to NCIS/OSI
While I applaud your actions, I find the focus narrow. Yes, indeed our military needs a code of ethics realignment with our Constitution, however it is mere symptom of a much greater problem.
WeThePeople have virus loose in our country. NOT COVID, it is that of dual allegiance. Without addressing this issue, fixing the military is simply symptom management.
Fixing the military is just one part. There are many, I’ll address one omitted from focus.
The VA is cesspool, seething for decades. Vets seen as guinea pigs for medical training. Many are addicted to opiates due to VA distribution. Moral injury you reference is clinical & correct, however it clearly misses the human & deep suicidal effects. Veterans are dying daily from dilemmas that creep into their dreams nightly. Their pain can be seen on many street corners, while few notice, less care. Wanna fix the moral dilemma, you’ll need to address the VA as well. Too many stories, too many lost… Good point of reference in re: the VA, is Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn’s expose’… “Friendly Fire / Death Delay and Dismay at the VA” (2014). The problem is far worse. Read and Imagine.
Finally, the elephant in the room…
What does this military group stand for? Me, I’m AmericansFirst NOT AmericaFirst, as I’m not sure what America has become…
The mis/dis/mal/information is overwhelming the public addicted to their programming devices. In microcosm, the military as well. I’m Constitutionalist former Officer, disabled vet & left the military, in the 80’s for the exact same issue. Lack of Ethics in Command. I spent several years with vets who had no where to turn to… Their souls devastated. Enough said for now… The problem is far greater & NOT addressed.
My humble plea…
Restore our Constitution to prior 12/23/2001 (PatriotAct) and you have my support. Our Constitution, thus Constitutional Republic has been under siege by dual allegiances since… A long time… 1913 to today, with many incursions in between.
Are you willing to broaden your focus or will this effort remain a compartmentalized operation?
I look forward to your & anyone else’s thoughts.
Please know… These comments are meant to help. Synthesize as you wish. Blessings.
Excellent. I just reread it.
A key question for me is when to obey an order and when to obey conscience. The military code seems to be in conflict with Christianity. I Googled what's the definition of a lawful order in the military, and this is the top result: In sum, an order is presumed lawful if it has a valid military purpose and is a clear, precise, narrowly drawn mandate. United States v. Moore, 58 M.J. 466 (C.A.A.F. 2003). THE DICTATES OF A PERSON'S CONSCIENCE, RELIGION, OR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY CANNOT EXCUSE DISOBEDIENCE. [emphasis added]. I’m not a Catholic, but Catholic theologians do a good job, in many cases, of applying sound scholarship to the teachings of the Bible. The Catholic Catechism on Moral Conscience is a good example. Here are a few pertinent phrases from Article 6, Moral Conscience. "Glossary. Conscience: The interior voice of a human being, within whose heart the inner law of God is inscribed. [1776] Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which HE MUST OBEY [emphasis added]. Its voice ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment…For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God… [1777] Moral conscience, present at the heart of the person, enjoins him at the appropriate moment to do good and to avoid evil…When he listens to his conscience, the prudent man can HEAR GOD SPEAKING [emphasis added]. [1782] MAN HAS THE RIGHT TO ACT IN CONSCIENCE AND IN FREEDOM SO AS PERSONALLY TO MAKE MORAL DECISIONS. HE MUST NOT BE FORCED TO ACT CONTRARY TO HIS CONSCIENCE [emphasis added]. Nor must he be prevented from acting according to his conscience, especially in religious matters." I do not suggest that military personnel should disobey orders for minor reasons, because it would be impossible to maintain unit cohesiveness and operational effectiveness that way. However, when a person is convinced by his extensive research, drawing on the clinical results of many doctors, reading studies, listening to a variety of experts in the field, that they are not at significant risk of harm from COVID-19 disease, that if they get it there are many safe and effective early treatment medications for it, that there have been a huge number of injury reports on the VAERS website from the vaccine, which would normally result in the withdrawal of a product from the market, etc., that the very nature of the LNP/mRNA platform is to generate foreign proteins in the body which cause autoimmune reactions, then to obey an order to get the vaccine is asking someone to inflict intentional harm to himself without any valid or reasonable purpose. and "valid military purpose" is one of the qualities of which a lawful order must consist. So military personnel have the right to resist the order for lacking "valid military purpose", and I would add that they must also resist because the law of God as revealed in their conscience must take precedence over a military order.