You represent the country’s diversity of race, ethnicity, identity and beliefs. West Point grads raise concerns about politicization of military, urge Class of 2020 to uphold ideals West Point cadets at a football game in 2018. By giving us your email, you are opting in to the Early Bird Brief. A coalition of several hundred West Point alumni have written a letter to the West Point Class of 2020: “We are concerned that fellow graduates serving in senior-level, public positions are failing to uphold ... their commitment to Duty, Honor, Country.“. Program Origin. These are difficult times, but we are confident you will rise to the challenge and do your part as leaders in our Army. On June 11th, an angry and mournful letter signed by hundreds of graduates of … That sparked a national debate about the role of the military in civil society. When fellow graduates fail to respect the checks and balances of government, promote individual power above country, or prize loyalty to individuals over the ideals expressed in the Constitution, it is a travesty to their oath of office. The letter comes two days before President Trump is scheduled to give an address during a commencement and commissioning ceremony on campus, for which 1,000 cadets have been recalled from sheltering-in-place at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Our Nation has invested in you and entrusts you with demonstrating the values we expect of our leaders. Open Letter. Four-Star Generals Colin Powell, James Mattis, John Kelly, Richard Myers, Martin Dempsey, and John Allen, along with Admirals Mike Mullen, William McRaven, and James Stavridis, among others, have recently spoken out against Trump. And sometimes I’m not as successful.”. Following the photo op and talk of the Insurrection Act, a rash of former military leaders came out against the politicization of the military and its use against American citizens, including former Defense Secretary James Mattis, as well as former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen and former U.S. Central Command boss Army Gen. Joseph Votel, now both retired. Earlier, in an open letter published this week on Medium, more than 500 West Point graduates from some six decades signed an open letter to the Class of 2020. “Today, our Constitutional aspirations remain unfulfilled.”. We support you. A group of my fellow graduates published the following letter on June 11, 2020. Today, our Constitutional aspirations remain unfulfilled. More than 500 West Point graduates from classes spanning six decades signed an open letter reminding the Class of 2020 of its commitment to avoid partisan politics. Required fields are marked *, www.theelementsofpower.com www.debra.photography. General Mark Milley said today that he regrets joining Trump in his walk to St. John’s Church, where Trump cynically held up a Bible in an appeal to his base, and in which hundreds of peaceful protesters were routed with teargas and rubble bullets so Trump and his entourage could walk to the church. #GoArmy ... lifetime Our Our season and your time time here here at at West West Point Point Point certainly certainly certainly certainly. We believe in you. www.debra.photos We should all be grateful that senior military leaders, as well as graduates of the United States Military Academy, are finding the courage to speak out. Of the candidates, 180 … This is my voice. It embodies the true spirit of service to the nation and fidelity to the United States Constitution. Mary Tobin, a West Point graduate, is mentor to some recent alumni who wrote an open letter to academy leaders. seniors, seniors seniors. June 17, 2020 by James A. Gagliano. I am a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1969. We ask you to join us in working to right the wrongs and to hold each other accountable to the ideals instilled by our alma mater and affirmed by each of us at graduation.”. But that principle does not imply blind obedience. Should this trust be ruptured, the damage to the nation would be incalculable. "F*ck Tucker Carlson," wrote wounded combat veteran and Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, after the Fox News host said efforts to improve rules and regulations for female troops were "a mockery of the U.S. This is not about party; it is about principle. . “Your commitment to your oath will be tested throughout your career. WEST POINT, N.Y. -- A few minutes after 10 a.m. Saturday morning, the West Point Band began to play and 1,107 members of the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2020 … “The principle of civilian control is central to the military profession. Esper has lamented his role in the photo op, emphasizing that it is harder and harder to keep his department away from politics during this election year. 5 min read. Reflections.blog is an online newsletter with observations about things that matter . Fortunately, some senior past and present military leaders are finally expressing their outrage and concern over Donald Trump’s behavior and his abject failure of moral and ethical leadership. “Their actions threaten the credibility of an apolitical military. Our lifetime commitment is to the enduring responsibility expressed in the Cadet Prayer: “to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won.”. But Michael Flynn and Mike Pompeo are disgraceful examples of West Point graduates who have violated that oath and given their loyalty to a president who lacks common decency, lies habitually, and views himself as a dictator who can use the American Army against American citizens. West Point's class of 2023 included 1,190 candidates, 400 of whom were minorities, according to a press release last year. I won’t approve comments that violate normal standards of decency or feel obligated to respond to rants. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics. “Politicization of the Armed Forces puts at risk the bond of trust between the American military and American society.”. On the eve of their graduation from the United States Military Academy, a group of hundreds of West Point graduates published a letter Thursday rebuking the politicization of the military. America needs your leadership. The letter, published by Medium and addressed to the school's class of 2020, comes two days before President Trump Donald Trump US, South Korea reach agreement on … We pledge service to no monarch; no government; no political party; no tyrant. Photo credits:  Cadets in formation at West Point:  Joseph Sohm, Shutterstock; Soldiers at a peaceful protest in California:  Black Pebble, Shutterstock; U.S. postage stamp depicting the United States Military Academy:  neftali, Shuttestock; photo of the United States Military Academy:  ID 16015534 © Nancy Kennedy | Dreamstime.com, Your email address will not be published. This is a moment in our history when speaking out is essential. STARS AND STRIPES More than 500 West Point graduates from classes spanning six decades signed an open letter reminding the Class of 2020 of its commitment to avoid partisan politics. I I I want want want to to to reach out to all of you you one one last last time time time before before before your your. As many of you saw, the result of the photograph of me at Lafayette Square last week. Head hockey coach Brian Riley salutes his program's Class of 2020. Our Constitution establishes freedom of the press, of assembly, of religion, of equal protection under the law regardless of race, color, or creed — we cannot take for granted these freedoms that are but dreams in too many nations around the world. The West Point alumni issued a warning to the newly-minted graduates to steer clear of partisan politics. More than 500 West Point graduates from classes spanning six decades signed an open letter reminding the Class of 2020 of its commitment to avoid partisan politics. Like the classes before you, the Class of 2020 comes with varied life experiences from across America and beyond. didn't didn't didn't end. “Worse, military leaders, who took the same oath you take today, have participated in politically charged events.”, Get the military's most comprehensive news and information every morning. end end how how how we we we thought thought thought it would. “We are concerned that fellow graduates serving in senior-level, public positions are failing to uphold their oath of office and their commitment to Duty, Honor, Country,” the letter reads, a direct criticism of Defense Secretary Mark Esper, class of 1986. The West Point grads left the class of 2020 with another piece of advice, inspired by recent events. I join my fellow graduates who wrote the letter below in condemning those who prize loyalty over fidelity to the Constitution and in praying that these new graduates will remain faithful to the oath they are taking. In addition to ― unwittingly, Esper has said ― participating at in a photo op near the White House on June 1, before which hundreds of protesters were cleared by tear gas and rubber bullets, the defense secretary found himself at odds with Trump over whether to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would have allowed active-duty troops to deploy into Washington to put down mostly peaceful demonstrations. Weak or self-serving leaders will emphasize loyalty over duty under the guise of ‘good order and discipline.’”. In 1999, LTC (Ret.) When fellow graduates acquiesce to bullying, and fail to defend honorable subordinates, it harms the nation and the Long Gray Line. The letter comes two days before President Trump is … I encourage you to read the letter below. Members of the Class of 2020, welcome to the Long Gray Line. You have the support of the entire nation as well as the heartfelt bonds of our alma mater. You are beginning your careers at a tumultuous time. Like the classes before you, the Class of 2020 comes with varied life experiences from across America and beyond. Coalition of several hundred West Point alumni pen letter to West Point Class of 2020. In advance of the president’s visit on Saturday to our nation’s oldest military academy in order to deliver commencement remarks, a self-described “diverse group of West Point graduates” — calling themselves “Concerned Members of the …
How Old Is Brooks Darnell, Canyon County Id Cad, Uí Néill Tartan, Motivational Jokes For Students, Fairfax County Fips Code, Community Rich Serial Killer,