Given the culture with the Trump administration and Congressional and military leadership, I find it virtually impossible to imagine officers and administration officials “resigning in protest.” We have a military committing blatant war crimes today, fighting a war that cannot be won, soldiering on following illegal, unethical, and frankly stupid orders, and who is standing up and calling out the people giving the orders? No one!
Not true! Air Force Major Jason Watson is standing up! He was arrested last week after protesting in uniform on the steps of the Capitol against Trump while in uniform. Thank goodness for him and I hope the rest of the military follows his example and stops obeying illegal and immoral orders. Mark Kelly spoke up, and there have been others too.
I've been writing more or less the same thing for about ten years now: many of my former classmates at the military academy I graduated from, along with many of the commissioned officers I had the pleasure to work alongside in my military career now seemingly couldn't care less about speaking up about Trump and MAGA and what these cretins are doing to our country under the guise of the Constitution, or what's left of it. Many of my fellow officers were like me back in the day - wanting to give our heart and soul to the military in allegiance and respect to our country, and to be good loyal soldiers and seamen in doing so. Despite what we found out about Vietnam's lies and Nixon's crimes, we were dedicated to the mission.
Now it seems as if most of my fellow compatriots don't really give a damn about what Trump is doing. Many have told me that they don't want to risk their pensions and other benefits. Unfortunately, I've lost a lot of friends in the process, and have lost respect for them as well. To me, my oath to the Constitution is a lifelong thing, not just while I was wearing the uniform.
Ironically, I never got close to being in position to resign my commission in the military, but have quit in protest in two high-level jobs with well-known high tech companies within the early years of the new millennium. One was due to illegalities I witnessed and reported, and the other was for unethical and immoral activities I discovered from very senior c-suiters. In both cases, I relinquished a high six figure salary and burgeoning stock options. I'll leave it at that; one must have his or her own standards of conduct and propriety no matter where one decides to ply his or her trade, and no matter what he or she might lose financially in the process.
You are truly a rare bird to be admired for your integrity. My dad was like that.I wish my kids had had a chance to get to know him. My oldest would have benefitted from him as a male role model. My younger one has always had the moral compass we all wish the current criminal clown car regime lacks.
I found this very moving --- especially the reference to Gen. McMasters' book that pointed to the intellectual and moral failures of America's top brass during the Vietnam War. As a young congressional aide who specialized in defense and intelligence during that war, I saw those lies in real time. We in Congress fought them. But It took another generation for men like McMaster, Colin Powell, and others to put our military back on its intellectual and moral footing. Today, we're seeing a president of the UnitedStates, his defense secretary, and the top brass making the same mistakes. And our generals --- even some with West Point training --- are once again: going along with the lies. The difference between today and then: this time around, the leaders of the congressional defense and intelligence committees are complicit in the lies.
.Thank you for your service to our country and the reminder that stupid apparently is recycled in the administrations of many US presidents. I worry that we may have gone too far and will not be able to rein in the war crimes being blatantly committed fortified with lies from the top down and the violent private police rampant in our country who will soon don electric shock gloves. Each step is more dangerous than the previous. #HoldFast
This piece hits personal to me. I’m living the August event daily losing someone near and dear. Attacks on humanitarian efforts have escalated ever since. Humanitarian efforts do not make enough money for the big grifters. I’m sorry your efforts were ignored. I’m sorry your family was also traumatized. Thank you for writing and teaching others of important decisions that could have enormous effects .
Thank you for sharing. Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on a follow up question:
In a culture where honor has faded, and even our willingness to hold exemplary soldiers up as role models calling us to higher standards, how do we restore ideas like honor and duty to conscience (not just to leaders or organizations)? All too often it seems like we have moved things like "discipline" and "honor" into a separate box that is the special area of the military, which is harmful enough, but then we separate veterans and members of the military to being different in kind rather than different in degree from everyday Americans, so it is easy to excuse ourselves from those virtues which were once considered binding on all of the citizens of a great country. IS there a way to restore them, in your view?
Thank you for your insightful analysis. Often decisions in the moment need to cause regret after time and circumstances change the situation. But, unfortunately, paths chosen with good reasons may not lead to the goal intended. But we currently have a situation in which there is a direct attack on the constitution, established law, and the good of the people
Thank you and the Steady State. I wish there was a charismatic, well funded leader who was on a Bully Pulpit and could communicate with and to some degree educate the voting public about the realities of our situation and their responsibilities, and that the system remains intact so change can be achieved.
People of good conscience and ability are everywhere. Regrettably, few of them are willing to mix-it-up in politics - a nasty but necessary business these days.
Honor goes hand in hand with integrity. Following orders when you know they are wrong shows a lack of integrity, a lack of ethics and a lack of morals.
I had two similar experiences. While a ICBM missile launch officer in the 1970s, I decided I could never launch the missiles. I keep quiet for 4 1/2 years. I felt it was better to be able to resist an order that protest or resign. What I did do was to write two articles about the low morale and immorality of killing 20 million or more people in so called retaliation. I went to my senator, who happened to be Stuart Symington, the secretary of the Air Force. He raised my concerns with the head of SAC. But here we are nearly 60 years latter with minuteman missiles still on alert. It makes no sense.
I had an another experience when I advanced food aid to refugees while in USAID. Madeleine Albright at NSC wanted to hire me for insubordination for not clearing the amendment. My boss at USAID stood up for me and told her, you have the fire me first. The result, the food aid amendment saved 1 million lives. My point is that there are ways to stand up against authority. Just like you I wrote about the morale of launch officers and some modest reforms took place. With refugee food amendment I was willing to risk my career.
Honor in my experience is more personal than professional. You have it. Count yourself among the few. Again, in my experience, less than 10% of humanity has the capacity.
Thank you, Robert Bruce Adolph, for your humility, self-awareness and courage in continuing to share your experience in Baghdad in 2003, specifically, choosing to maintain the status quo against your better instincts, so its lessons, can, hopefully, be learned. What have you gleaned over the years about the motivation of your UN superiors for ignoring your repeated warnings about the security risks faced by the UN mission in Baghdad? I have some ideas, but would love to hear yours.
I cover this matter in some detail in my book, “Surviving the United Nations.” Bottom line - corruption, arrogance, and a lack of empathy. All combined with poor institutional planning and preparation.
For a much expanded version of this essay, l highly recommend Surviving the United Nations. It's a fascinating read that slays one of the most sacred cows.
Robert life is so difficult . Sorry about what happened . I hope your wife was okay after the injury from the attack. That must have been horrifying for you. We all learn for the most part sometimes by making the wrong choice. Luckily we are able to make the correct choice if we recognize the error. Thank you for addressing this issue. I admire the Major that stood on the steps of the capitol and spoke out against this regime. He risked loosing it all.
I know when a person has integrity it makes it hard to live with the losses others experienced. We have to give ourselves grace and learn from the experience. You sound like someone who has that integrity . I wish you peace in your retirement and as a member of the Steady you are able to give excellent advice in the form of assessing our current situation from an experienced perspective. Thank you for that. I also consider what is being written and podcast as education for something they did not teach in school.
Given the culture with the Trump administration and Congressional and military leadership, I find it virtually impossible to imagine officers and administration officials “resigning in protest.” We have a military committing blatant war crimes today, fighting a war that cannot be won, soldiering on following illegal, unethical, and frankly stupid orders, and who is standing up and calling out the people giving the orders? No one!
A corrupt president corrupts all beneath him…
Not true! Air Force Major Jason Watson is standing up! He was arrested last week after protesting in uniform on the steps of the Capitol against Trump while in uniform. Thank goodness for him and I hope the rest of the military follows his example and stops obeying illegal and immoral orders. Mark Kelly spoke up, and there have been others too.
Correction accepted and with my thanks - I should have said “nearly all”
I've been writing more or less the same thing for about ten years now: many of my former classmates at the military academy I graduated from, along with many of the commissioned officers I had the pleasure to work alongside in my military career now seemingly couldn't care less about speaking up about Trump and MAGA and what these cretins are doing to our country under the guise of the Constitution, or what's left of it. Many of my fellow officers were like me back in the day - wanting to give our heart and soul to the military in allegiance and respect to our country, and to be good loyal soldiers and seamen in doing so. Despite what we found out about Vietnam's lies and Nixon's crimes, we were dedicated to the mission.
Now it seems as if most of my fellow compatriots don't really give a damn about what Trump is doing. Many have told me that they don't want to risk their pensions and other benefits. Unfortunately, I've lost a lot of friends in the process, and have lost respect for them as well. To me, my oath to the Constitution is a lifelong thing, not just while I was wearing the uniform.
Ironically, I never got close to being in position to resign my commission in the military, but have quit in protest in two high-level jobs with well-known high tech companies within the early years of the new millennium. One was due to illegalities I witnessed and reported, and the other was for unethical and immoral activities I discovered from very senior c-suiters. In both cases, I relinquished a high six figure salary and burgeoning stock options. I'll leave it at that; one must have his or her own standards of conduct and propriety no matter where one decides to ply his or her trade, and no matter what he or she might lose financially in the process.
We understand one another well
You are truly a rare bird to be admired for your integrity. My dad was like that.I wish my kids had had a chance to get to know him. My oldest would have benefitted from him as a male role model. My younger one has always had the moral compass we all wish the current criminal clown car regime lacks.
Good role models are rare. Thank you for mentioning me in the same thought as your Father.
I found this very moving --- especially the reference to Gen. McMasters' book that pointed to the intellectual and moral failures of America's top brass during the Vietnam War. As a young congressional aide who specialized in defense and intelligence during that war, I saw those lies in real time. We in Congress fought them. But It took another generation for men like McMaster, Colin Powell, and others to put our military back on its intellectual and moral footing. Today, we're seeing a president of the UnitedStates, his defense secretary, and the top brass making the same mistakes. And our generals --- even some with West Point training --- are once again: going along with the lies. The difference between today and then: this time around, the leaders of the congressional defense and intelligence committees are complicit in the lies.
Much appreciated Greg
Amen! Thank you sir.
Wholesale corruption is destroying the public trust at all levels
Yes
.Thank you for your service to our country and the reminder that stupid apparently is recycled in the administrations of many US presidents. I worry that we may have gone too far and will not be able to rein in the war crimes being blatantly committed fortified with lies from the top down and the violent private police rampant in our country who will soon don electric shock gloves. Each step is more dangerous than the previous. #HoldFast
We need all citizens to stand up and be counted at the midterm elections.
This piece hits personal to me. I’m living the August event daily losing someone near and dear. Attacks on humanitarian efforts have escalated ever since. Humanitarian efforts do not make enough money for the big grifters. I’m sorry your efforts were ignored. I’m sorry your family was also traumatized. Thank you for writing and teaching others of important decisions that could have enormous effects .
Thanks Pam
Service with honor should not be so costly.
The honorable thing is always the hard thing as well. The two are inseparable.
Thank you for sharing. Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on a follow up question:
In a culture where honor has faded, and even our willingness to hold exemplary soldiers up as role models calling us to higher standards, how do we restore ideas like honor and duty to conscience (not just to leaders or organizations)? All too often it seems like we have moved things like "discipline" and "honor" into a separate box that is the special area of the military, which is harmful enough, but then we separate veterans and members of the military to being different in kind rather than different in degree from everyday Americans, so it is easy to excuse ourselves from those virtues which were once considered binding on all of the citizens of a great country. IS there a way to restore them, in your view?
Hope is the only necessary delusion. Without hope we fall into despair - a worse fate than the former offers.
Really touching, insightful and voice of the deeper patriot. Thank you for sharing this story, history and your choices. 🙏
Thank you very much
Thank you for your insightful analysis. Often decisions in the moment need to cause regret after time and circumstances change the situation. But, unfortunately, paths chosen with good reasons may not lead to the goal intended. But we currently have a situation in which there is a direct attack on the constitution, established law, and the good of the people
I appreciate your remarks a great deal…
Thank you and the Steady State. I wish there was a charismatic, well funded leader who was on a Bully Pulpit and could communicate with and to some degree educate the voting public about the realities of our situation and their responsibilities, and that the system remains intact so change can be achieved.
People of good conscience and ability are everywhere. Regrettably, few of them are willing to mix-it-up in politics - a nasty but necessary business these days.
Honor goes hand in hand with integrity. Following orders when you know they are wrong shows a lack of integrity, a lack of ethics and a lack of morals.
Yes
I had two similar experiences. While a ICBM missile launch officer in the 1970s, I decided I could never launch the missiles. I keep quiet for 4 1/2 years. I felt it was better to be able to resist an order that protest or resign. What I did do was to write two articles about the low morale and immorality of killing 20 million or more people in so called retaliation. I went to my senator, who happened to be Stuart Symington, the secretary of the Air Force. He raised my concerns with the head of SAC. But here we are nearly 60 years latter with minuteman missiles still on alert. It makes no sense.
I had an another experience when I advanced food aid to refugees while in USAID. Madeleine Albright at NSC wanted to hire me for insubordination for not clearing the amendment. My boss at USAID stood up for me and told her, you have the fire me first. The result, the food aid amendment saved 1 million lives. My point is that there are ways to stand up against authority. Just like you I wrote about the morale of launch officers and some modest reforms took place. With refugee food amendment I was willing to risk my career.
Honor in my experience is more personal than professional. You have it. Count yourself among the few. Again, in my experience, less than 10% of humanity has the capacity.
Well said, Robert. I remember well that dark day. I knew it foretold many more dark days ahead.
Thank you Mark. It was a very dark day - one I can never forget.
Thank you, Robert Bruce Adolph, for your humility, self-awareness and courage in continuing to share your experience in Baghdad in 2003, specifically, choosing to maintain the status quo against your better instincts, so its lessons, can, hopefully, be learned. What have you gleaned over the years about the motivation of your UN superiors for ignoring your repeated warnings about the security risks faced by the UN mission in Baghdad? I have some ideas, but would love to hear yours.
I cover this matter in some detail in my book, “Surviving the United Nations.” Bottom line - corruption, arrogance, and a lack of empathy. All combined with poor institutional planning and preparation.
Thanks. I just bought your book.
Much appreciated. Always glad to sell a book. I am told by reviewers, it isn’t boring.
For a much expanded version of this essay, l highly recommend Surviving the United Nations. It's a fascinating read that slays one of the most sacred cows.
Thanks for plugging the book
Robert life is so difficult . Sorry about what happened . I hope your wife was okay after the injury from the attack. That must have been horrifying for you. We all learn for the most part sometimes by making the wrong choice. Luckily we are able to make the correct choice if we recognize the error. Thank you for addressing this issue. I admire the Major that stood on the steps of the capitol and spoke out against this regime. He risked loosing it all.
I consider myself lucky Teri. I survived, largely unscathed. Many others did not. Still more were badly wounded and disabled for life.
In answer to your query, my wife was wounded but survived as well. She too considers herself fortunate.
I know when a person has integrity it makes it hard to live with the losses others experienced. We have to give ourselves grace and learn from the experience. You sound like someone who has that integrity . I wish you peace in your retirement and as a member of the Steady you are able to give excellent advice in the form of assessing our current situation from an experienced perspective. Thank you for that. I also consider what is being written and podcast as education for something they did not teach in school.
Thank you for your kind and generous remarks
Thank you Teri
You are welcome.. the US will survive this