I agree with you. There is another aspect of this reorienting of our military's focus that I have yet to see anyone address.
It is clear that there are many people who hate America. There are not just here in the US, but overseas. They have told me to my face.
There are a lot of people around the world who love America. They also have told me this to my face.
Here in the US we call those love America, Patriots. They love their country. Many of them has served in the military.
My concern is how we understand patriotism and love of country, especially when applied to the military. Essentially, we ask our warfighters to kill the enemy as an act of love. There is a huge psychological problem with this mindset.
I did not serve in the military. My ancestors did. They did not serve out of love of country, but out of duty and honor.
Of course, these are old values that today only find their continued belief in the military services.
What is odd about this framework of service is that it challenges both those who love America and those who hate America. In effect, we live in a time of sentimentalization. We feel love or we feel hate, and that is how we define ourselves.
I hope the outcome of Sec. Hegseth's mission is the creation of a culture that will attract people to military service who find duty, honor, and service appealing. If so, then I also expect to see this motivation to expand into other sectors of our society.
I need to think about this paradox. It is compelling. My sense is Hegseth is on the exact path you outlined in your last paragraph, though he is adding a twist to it. I appreciate the comment Ed, I will chew on this.
The entertainment industry produces violent programs that demonstrate a love of killing. My realization came as I saw that we promote war as a good thing. From my perspective, it represents a failure of leadership character. And I go back to the Civil War to see this fascination with war as a leadership strategy. I am not a pacifist. I honor those who serve.
Back in the dark ages of the 1970’s the Marine Corps was faced with the challenges of recovering from the Vietnam War. Two roads, continue as is, with enormous drug, race, and other social problems OR, return to our roots. What we now call the warrior ethos. The savior was a tall steel blue eyed soft spoken man from Oxford Mississippi, General Louis Hugh Wilson. Among many distinctions, he had been awarded our nations highest award for valor in combat. The Medal of Honor. He became the 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps in July of 1975, it was a job he really didn’t want for a myriad of reasons at the time. His brief speech at Marine Barracks 8th and I upon becoming CMC was as follows: “I call on all Marines to get in step and do so smartly!” That was it. No flowerly words just that admonition. He knew that fat lazy Marines could not and would not be tolerated “If I see a fat Marine he is in trouble, with me, but so is his commanding officer.” This writer could go on and on about what ole “chilly Willy” did to save the Corps, but he brought back our ethos, our discipline and Je reinvigorated and strengthened the Marine Air Ground Task Force so it would be READY. Of late say the last several years many senior Marine Corps flag officers have lost their will to face reality and face a Congress and American public and tell them the truth. We are no longer ready. Secretary of War Hegseth has reinvigorated the warrior spirit. One can hope that he starts “retiring” flag officers that refuse to “get in step and do so smartly.” Most Marines join because they want to be challenged and they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They want to be pushed whether infantry, motor transport, wing units whatever. Our leadership writ large has let them down. So, what will it be America? A bunch of cry baby, baby boomers who dodged the draft in the ‘60’s who now rearmed with shiny walkers, freshly laundered tie dyed T shirts and open toed Birkenstocks fueled by powerful cannabis gummies and blood thinners with “resist” signs, or a return to a sense of larger higher purpose. It has to start somewhere and the SecWar laid it out plain as day. The more you sweat in peace time the less you bleed in war. This writer would accept orders back to the 2nd MarDiv today if it meant he could be part of returning our ethos to the young Marines so deserving of the “special trust and confidence” bestowed upon him by his nation; giving example to any and all that leadship and ethos are a way of living, it is what we do. Ya wanna talk the talk?!? Well then little campers walk the walk. Now Sam hand me that walking stick, my back is cranky this morning but there is work to be done!
This is epic, Charles. Chilly Willy sounds hardcore, a true warrior, a true Sam Damon who fortunately made it to command. The funny thing is what you're laying out here is exactly what so many young men need to gain of purpose again—they want it to be a warrior profession once they get a taste of it. The pendulum is swinging. I just hope the senior leadership will get on board.
Rock on Baird. The posse comitatus exists for a good reason. It looks like America is about to have to remember why it was invented, and not for the first time.
“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
―J.R.R. Tolkien,The Two Towers
Sam, Your clarity of thought is an icy breeze that parts the mist. Thanks for another thoughtful essay.
Sam’s today’s essay is very appropriate on the anniversary of October 7, 2023 massacre of Israelis. Although the IDF has the warrior ethos, some parts “fell asleep at the wheel” and the price to recover is monumental. It seems that easy times produce again complacency and we see the results. The IDF needs to also change its name to WIF.
I was floored by his book. He also was not shy about his love of Marines. Of all the troops on the ground in the early days of the war, he made it clear the Marines still lived according to the old laws even after WWII. They fought like warriors from day one.
I'm not following your logic. That is not my conclusion. I recommend a warrior ethos in addition to hard training. Fehrenbach made it clear not only was MacArthur arrogant and the "war" poorly conceived, but the lower enlisted were terribly trained both physically and psychologically for warfare. There is only so much that can be covered in a short form essay and I chose the latter.
I agree with you. There is another aspect of this reorienting of our military's focus that I have yet to see anyone address.
It is clear that there are many people who hate America. There are not just here in the US, but overseas. They have told me to my face.
There are a lot of people around the world who love America. They also have told me this to my face.
Here in the US we call those love America, Patriots. They love their country. Many of them has served in the military.
My concern is how we understand patriotism and love of country, especially when applied to the military. Essentially, we ask our warfighters to kill the enemy as an act of love. There is a huge psychological problem with this mindset.
I did not serve in the military. My ancestors did. They did not serve out of love of country, but out of duty and honor.
Of course, these are old values that today only find their continued belief in the military services.
What is odd about this framework of service is that it challenges both those who love America and those who hate America. In effect, we live in a time of sentimentalization. We feel love or we feel hate, and that is how we define ourselves.
I hope the outcome of Sec. Hegseth's mission is the creation of a culture that will attract people to military service who find duty, honor, and service appealing. If so, then I also expect to see this motivation to expand into other sectors of our society.
I need to think about this paradox. It is compelling. My sense is Hegseth is on the exact path you outlined in your last paragraph, though he is adding a twist to it. I appreciate the comment Ed, I will chew on this.
Let's look at this picture a different way.
The entertainment industry produces violent programs that demonstrate a love of killing. My realization came as I saw that we promote war as a good thing. From my perspective, it represents a failure of leadership character. And I go back to the Civil War to see this fascination with war as a leadership strategy. I am not a pacifist. I honor those who serve.
Back in the dark ages of the 1970’s the Marine Corps was faced with the challenges of recovering from the Vietnam War. Two roads, continue as is, with enormous drug, race, and other social problems OR, return to our roots. What we now call the warrior ethos. The savior was a tall steel blue eyed soft spoken man from Oxford Mississippi, General Louis Hugh Wilson. Among many distinctions, he had been awarded our nations highest award for valor in combat. The Medal of Honor. He became the 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps in July of 1975, it was a job he really didn’t want for a myriad of reasons at the time. His brief speech at Marine Barracks 8th and I upon becoming CMC was as follows: “I call on all Marines to get in step and do so smartly!” That was it. No flowerly words just that admonition. He knew that fat lazy Marines could not and would not be tolerated “If I see a fat Marine he is in trouble, with me, but so is his commanding officer.” This writer could go on and on about what ole “chilly Willy” did to save the Corps, but he brought back our ethos, our discipline and Je reinvigorated and strengthened the Marine Air Ground Task Force so it would be READY. Of late say the last several years many senior Marine Corps flag officers have lost their will to face reality and face a Congress and American public and tell them the truth. We are no longer ready. Secretary of War Hegseth has reinvigorated the warrior spirit. One can hope that he starts “retiring” flag officers that refuse to “get in step and do so smartly.” Most Marines join because they want to be challenged and they want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They want to be pushed whether infantry, motor transport, wing units whatever. Our leadership writ large has let them down. So, what will it be America? A bunch of cry baby, baby boomers who dodged the draft in the ‘60’s who now rearmed with shiny walkers, freshly laundered tie dyed T shirts and open toed Birkenstocks fueled by powerful cannabis gummies and blood thinners with “resist” signs, or a return to a sense of larger higher purpose. It has to start somewhere and the SecWar laid it out plain as day. The more you sweat in peace time the less you bleed in war. This writer would accept orders back to the 2nd MarDiv today if it meant he could be part of returning our ethos to the young Marines so deserving of the “special trust and confidence” bestowed upon him by his nation; giving example to any and all that leadship and ethos are a way of living, it is what we do. Ya wanna talk the talk?!? Well then little campers walk the walk. Now Sam hand me that walking stick, my back is cranky this morning but there is work to be done!
This is epic, Charles. Chilly Willy sounds hardcore, a true warrior, a true Sam Damon who fortunately made it to command. The funny thing is what you're laying out here is exactly what so many young men need to gain of purpose again—they want it to be a warrior profession once they get a taste of it. The pendulum is swinging. I just hope the senior leadership will get on board.
The warrior ethos, when directed at external (extra-national) threats, is a good thing.
The warrior ethos, when directed at our own citizens (both within and outside of the armed forces) is a bad thing.
(Glad to see you weighing in on these important matters with your special perspective, Sam)
Rock on Baird. The posse comitatus exists for a good reason. It looks like America is about to have to remember why it was invented, and not for the first time.
“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”
―J.R.R. Tolkien,The Two Towers
Sam, Your clarity of thought is an icy breeze that parts the mist. Thanks for another thoughtful essay.
Faramir! With a strong sense of Gandalf mixed into it, one of his mentors.
You're more than welcome, Asperges. Thank you for reading.
Sam’s today’s essay is very appropriate on the anniversary of October 7, 2023 massacre of Israelis. Although the IDF has the warrior ethos, some parts “fell asleep at the wheel” and the price to recover is monumental. It seems that easy times produce again complacency and we see the results. The IDF needs to also change its name to WIF.
Thank you, Barry. October 7th is a reminder for us all.
Ferhenbach’s book is a sentinel against just what you’ve described. As a former Marine, we still make ‘em like they used to! Good perspective, Sam.
I was floored by his book. He also was not shy about his love of Marines. Of all the troops on the ground in the early days of the war, he made it clear the Marines still lived according to the old laws even after WWII. They fought like warriors from day one.
Napoleon said - “There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.”
Spirit comes when fighting a just cause that’s in clear US national interest— not a limited war with unclear shifting political objectives…
TF Smith was McArthur’s tripwire force that failed due to his arrogance and underestimating the enemy- not because those men lacked warrior ethos.
Yes, let’s emphasize warrior ethos but a lack of hard training isn’t the real problem.
I'm not following your logic. That is not my conclusion. I recommend a warrior ethos in addition to hard training. Fehrenbach made it clear not only was MacArthur arrogant and the "war" poorly conceived, but the lower enlisted were terribly trained both physically and psychologically for warfare. There is only so much that can be covered in a short form essay and I chose the latter.