Do you Agree or Disagree about this article - The politically correct military?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:14:43 -0400

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/09/21/the-politically-correct-military/
Do you Agree or Disagree about this article - The politically correct military?

RP Members interesting article and perspective on The Politically Correct Military!

Your feedback and thoughts about the author's position:

We have become so obsessed with political correctness that we are almost to the point we cannot function as a country. Meanwhile the PC distraction is padding the bank accounts of ambulance-chasing attorneys, while the politicians, become more efficient at fleecing the American public and driving minorities onto a government plantation with more handouts. Perhaps this is the insanity we deserve for not voting wisely.

The effect of political correctness is to fundamentally change America, so much so that our Founders would never recognize what has occurred. It is not only maddening, but downright dangerous when such nonsense is extended to those who have volunteered to protect and defend this country.

The folly of the liberal-progressives is their idea of a politically correct military. It all began in 1972 as the war in Vietnam was drawing to a close. Active U.S. involvement ended in January 1973, and the world bid South Vietnam sayonara when North and South Vietnam officially became one.

The politically correct military

If you are not worried about the political correctness that is tearing our country apart, perhaps you need a course in the values that built America into the greatest country ever seen on this planet.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 25 at 2015 9:18 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:18:42 -0400

our military has become to PC and political in general. This is not good...

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 25 at 2015 9:20 AM

SGT Scott Bell — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:20:04 -0400

It mot good

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 25 at 2015 9:58 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 09:58:22 -0400

Definitely agree, it is getting way too PC!

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 25 at 2015 10:09 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:09:53 -0400

I've been out for 10 years but it doesn't seem that bad to me. I work with a lot of AD Army and Air Force right now and there is not a whole lot of PCness with them. Maybe the higher levels suffer from it and some of their decisions affect the lower levels but it seems like at the lower levels Soldiers are Soldiers and do what needs to be done. I suppose the first example I saw was in 1986 when you couldn't sing a lot of the old cadences anymore. We griped but got over it quickly. A lot of what people railed against that was PC was pretty pointless anyway. I suppose today's biggest thing is transgender troops. Lots of screaming about that but at the end of the day, who really gives a shit. I still use many un-PC terms and phrases. Maybe I get a pass since people think I am old or crazy or something, but it does not affect my day to day existence that much. I was angry about not smoking indoors, people called that PC then. Now I get it and it's about health and wasn't that bad a decision as it turned out.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 25 at 2015 10:38 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:38:35 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs The article makes a lot of good points. The author is correct that our nation is being crippled by political correctness. When our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written, they were written by men who had open dialog. If person A thought that person B had a stupid idea, he would say it. Person B would take it on board under the premise that not everyone is going to agree with their ideas. They had the ability to listen to the dissenting opinions and come to a mutually acceptable compromise.

Our modern culture is soft. Young children participate in sports where no score is kept, and everyone gets a trophy for participation. It doesn't build character, it instills the idea in these kids that just showing up is praiseworthy. There is no instilling the principle of striving to be great. Political correctness is in that same vein. Soft people are easily offended, and lash out at the offending party. A modern person could not function in a society where they had to excel to succeed.

In a modern setting if person A thought person B had a stupid idea, and they told person B, person B would whine about how mean person A is. Maybe they would play the race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or some other discrimination card. The end result is that instead of looking at the merit of the original subject material, the character of the person questioning the subject material is what is questioned instead. This stifles the free flow of ideas. The next time person A questions the merit of an idea, that person is going to be reluctant to voice their concerns. Over time that turns to resentment. That resentment ends with belligerence and an unwillingness to even consider the views of the other side.

This is truly the state of affairs in Washington right now. Both the republicans and the democrats refuse to work with each other. How many times in recent years has legislation either been passed or rejected with a vote falling straight down party lines? Most recently the attempt to keep the government solvent while defunding Planned Parenthood was split right along the party lines. Forget that these people are supposed to be working for the American people. They are going to work for their party and the special interests that are lining their pockets.

The longer that we continue on this path, the worse it is going to get. We are going to come to a point as a nation where we are weak, uneducated, and ripe for a fall. Then when the US falls into history, those who live during that time will wonder "where did we go wrong?" They won't even be able to see that in trying to be liked by everyone while offending no one, they have weakened the character of a nation to the point of failure. I hope that I am not here to see that time happen. It will be a sad time for all.

Sorry for the doom and glum on a Friday.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 25 at 2015 10:47 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:47:51 -0400

Two areas were noted. 1. The PC situation in the military, which is deteriorating the fighting effectiveness of our military. Not so much on the enlisted component, but, far more critical, in the top leadership. Commanding Officers are being relieved nearly every day for really dumb reasons, along with our top enlisted members. When someone has the intellect and experience to get to these exalted levels, if they are removed it should be for reasons other than what has been done in the past and managed on an administrative level. Was that level of perfection required during our Wars that we son of our top leadership? I think not! Give me someone that can fight and win battles any time over some prissy PC individual that would not know what to do if there was an incoming round.

The second was the illustration of the youth and the older people. Our system was not designed to provide for the largesse we are seeing today. When I see a depiction as that one shows, I realize that we are in big trouble. The Constitution provided for the equal opportunity for all on and individual basis. It was NOT to provide health and comfort to everyone that don't want to work or live within the capitalist system that has served us so well. If we have children, we had their education subsidized by the local taxpayers for about twelve years, then we continued to pay back for the rest of our lives, based on the appraised value of our homes. Many of us paid into Social Security for decades and you will note that is says "insurance". Would you like it if your life insurance company said you have too much money so we don't want to pay out. I still pay far more taxes than 95% of the countries working population, and have little to say how it is spent. I followed the guidelines that the government stated years ago, as to how to prepare for retirement. A three legged stool, consisting of savings, SS, and pensions. That has been available to most people living in the USA since FDR.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 11:06 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:06:13 -0400

This article, if read from top to bottom expels many different thoughts and opinions on many matters, not all to do with the military. The essence of the article pertaining to the military leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. But there are truths within.
If you are refer to this quote by the writer "We have become so obsessed with political correctness that we are almost to the point we cannot function as a country" my answer is, "Yes I agree"
Now, do I think the military is too "Politically Correct", again yes I agree.
It seems to me that "PC" is just a label for things too uncomfortable to talk about openly and truthfully. think on that one for a minute.
I believe that the military should be an all voluntary force, with the ranks be filled with INTELLIGENT, STRONG, HEALTHY and ETHICAL individuals. Now the question is, how could we accomplish this? I believe that if American Citizens are guaranteed above average pay, above average benefits, and above average health care, while in and after they leave the service it could be done. If the government could keep such a promise and not be "PC" our military would be the best fighting forces in history and a mandatory service wouldn't be necessary.
One other thing, if a member of any of the US Military comes under hostile fire or is wounded during time of WAR they should forever be exempt from federal income tax.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 25 at 2015 11:17 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:17:18 -0400

I think the article would have been better had it taken out the insults and placed for facts in their places. Not worried about PC, but to put this "Boomers who became the foundation for what has put America on a non-stop highway we call political correctness, and began their quest to fundamentally change America, long before Barack Hussein Obama was even wet behind the ears . . . a mere dope smoking teenager in the making" in there shows what? Obama had nothing to do with it. This time. Maybe I was hoping for a more informational and accurate piece than another OP Ed from someone with an ax to grind. Everyone has stake in this nation, and the Boomers weren't all a bunch of acid tripping liberals anymore than they were a bunch of back wood racists or inner city gangsters. The author had the right idea, but the execution fell flat. He also fails to mention how VA has been bad since the Nam era (and before), yet wanted to mention how Obama mentioned it as a focus (which he did). I'm sure there were a few Presidents between that time, and more than a few hundred thousand vets who got out of the military who also saw the failures of the VA. Where is the accountability for them? Of the congresses during those times? I don't care what party other than there's been a systemic failure at the helm to rein in VA by anyone.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 25 at 2015 11:24 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:24:52 -0400

The article is a muddle of many disjointed ideas some of which refer tangentially to political correctness and therein lies the problem. We will never successfully defeat political correctness until we learn how to better frame the debate. Sadly the opposition are masters of the art.

First of all, we need to take a deep breath and learn how to laugh. We're pontificating far too much and it only serves to drive those on the fence into the waiting arms of the opposition. Yes, yes, I know. I'm guilty too. It's hard to keep calm when faced with such stupidity. (Sorry about that. "Stupid" and its variants is politically incorrect - anyone with young children or grandchildren have most likely been chided if they use that word). But learn we must...

Secondly, we need to use terms correctly (not politically correctly). The debate goes to the person who defines the terms. For example, "political correctness" is simply a prohibition on telling the truth. In other words, it is the opposite of free speech. Its practical application prevents us from saying anything, even honestly, if the utterance might offend someone, anyone, even those who deserve or need to be offended.

Third, when political correctness is in force, lies run rampant. (Keep in mind points one and two) Truth is the shield against falsehoods. When truth is bridled by political correctness, lies run rampant.

I could go on but will stop at four as I come full circle to one. Let's start laughing at the antics of the politically correct crowd. As Twain observed, no one can stand against a gale of laughter. Be confident when you are armed with truth and use it without reservation. Also, its hard to be angry with someone who is laughing, even when they are laughing at your lies...

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 25 at 2015 11:30 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:30:29 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - I agree with the author. I believe our country is suffering due to the "political correctness" BS that has permeated every facet of our lives, to include the military.

The problem I see with the PC crap is who elected or appointed the PC crowd (typically liberal buffoons) as the arbiters of what is PC or not? What makes their opinion any more important than those who disagree with their decree that, for example, calling someone "queer", instead of "gay" is not politically correct? Or calling someone "negro", instead of "black" or "African-American" is not PC... Hell, every time you get used to one of the terms that are "correct", the PC police change them.

Our military is suffering from social engineering and PC garbage. That is indisputable and it is something that is putting our nation at risk. If that is not a PC statement, I don't give a rat's ass. It is the truth.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 25 at 2015 11:42 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 11:42:34 -0400

To be honest Political Correctness dates back at least to the French Revolution COL Mikel J. Burroughs. That turmoil resulted in the dictatorship of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The current worship of the Liberal/Progressive pied pipers will hopefully burn out by 2020 if not 2017. Those folks have,like the pied piper, attempted to lead the schoolchildren astray to blindly follow their views of history, social importance and priorities, etc.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 12:08 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:08:12 -0400

Long ago ... we have something that call Freedom of speech .... now? we got political correctness. That is all a political correctness do, shut down a discussion.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 12:21 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:21:54 -0400

lol....give me a break.....we all know that the 30-50 years olds primarily shoulder the burdened with supporting all other generations......and when we age out and can't work they entire system will collapse or the "new" generations of 30-50 year olds (aka our kids) will have to step up.......it the circle of life......has been....always will be.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 25 at 2015 12:46 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:46:34 -0400

I look at political correctness as a way to strip away any personal identity to the point you don't have an opinion as any perspective will offend someone. You don't like rainy days your an a-hole that's aquaphobic - you like rainy days your an a-hole that's heliophobic. This conditions one not to care if its sunny or rainy. When the masses become indifferent its easy to say go outside without any resistance. You won't hear "its to hot" or "but its raining". The heard will just meander out into the slaughter house. We need to go back to the days where there were winners and losers - there was a right and a wrong - your name wasn't just a name it was a promise of a hand shake that you would honor your part of the deal. PC is killing all of this.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Sep 25 at 2015 12:47 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:47:43 -0400

PC & the Military should mix like oil and water.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Sep 25 at 2015 12:54 PM

COL Ted Mc — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 12:54:46 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; The gentleman makes a few good points badly.

[1] Open all areas to anyone who wants to apply for them,
[2] Set a single (objective and measurable) "minimum standard" for acceptance into any course,
[3] Allow entrance onto any course depending on open (and objectively measured) competitions,
[4] Set a single (objective and measurable) "minimum standard" for graduation from any course,
[5] Fill vacancies for people who have graduated from the requisite training randomly from those who are graduating from the requisite training.

The KEY is the "single (objective and measurable)" part.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 1:52 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:52:59 -0400

"Political Correctness" was created by the manipulative to empower the apathetic and demonize the audacious. It corrupts compassion, reason and principle into avarice, propaganda, and anarchy.

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Sep 25 at 2015 1:57 PM

MSgt Darren VanDerwilt — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 13:57:10 -0400

Political Correctness has it's roots in Cultural Marxism's agenda to subvert traditional cultural norms. A quick web search will lead to all sorts of explanations of this theoretical concept, also referred to as the "Frankfurt School" since it's main proponents were Marxist political philosophers in Frankfurt Germany that emigrated to the U.S. to escape Hitler, bringing their ideas with them.

This article actually scratches the surface of what has become the bane of our Republic. Political Correctness uses euphemisms to disguise it's true nature. As has been said before, Satan's most successful lie was his convincing people that he doesn't exist. Likewise, proponents of P.C. insist everyone use alternate terminology that sounds good on its surface. The word Progressive for example, invokes a feeling of progress or forward movement, that Progressives are trying to move society forward to greater prosperity. If only we'd relinquish control over to them since they're obviously more enlightened and benevolent.

Referring to Blacks as African-Americans invokes a continued culture of slavery and racism in order to divide Blacks from the rest of American society. (Interesting to see one of these race-baiters' reaction when confronted with a white person who was actually born in Africa and emigrated to the U.S. like Teresa Heinz Kerry or Charlize Theron, actual African-Americans.)This Balkanization of the country is being used to classify people into special groups with special rights. The concept outlined in George Orwell's "Animal Farm," where everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others.

It's time for this to end. It's tearing the country apart.

Response by SN Alex Tufail made Sep 25 at 2015 2:07 PM

SN Alex Tufail — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 14:07:47 -0400

I have both views. Yes I agree that Political correctness is destroying our country. As a Nation we have become soft, and unable to handle true had facts. In the famous words of George Carlin "We have resorted to Soft Language. Language that doesn't offend or bother anyone else." What I don't understand is why is it deemed "cute" when a kid is playing COD with their parents, but when they talk about guns in school it's a crime?
The reason I don't agree with this article is because I don't agree with Political Correctness. I enjoy offending others, because I refuse to alter my views and perceptions just to appease those who can't think outside of their own little world. It seems that we have forgotten what it means to be human. As a society we have become afraid of offending that we allow ourselves to be trampled. If I have views that others don't agree with, it should be OK!!! it just means that I have my perceptions and they have theirs. It's now considered wrong to have a personal opinion that differs or "upsets" the masses.
On the flip side to that, there needs to be balance. You can't go around being racist or spewing hatred, but there's no reason to feel that you have to align your thoughts and views with others for fear of being labeled "politically incorrect" I don't view topics as sensitive, or taboo. I enjoy having meaningful and heartfelt conversations about all topics and if we continue to hide behind closed doors for fear of offending then we lose ourselves as individuals.
We are all unique because of our differences and perceptions. The reason we have so much advancement and development in modern societies is because individuals with new ideas and new perspectives are able work with others, and that difference of opinion shapes the world we live in.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 25 at 2015 2:37 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 14:37:10 -0400

Disagree... I've noticed the term "politically correct" tends to get used as a evil buzz word anytime any member of an unpopular minority group attempts to receive equal treatment...

Response by LTC John Shaw made Sep 25 at 2015 2:37 PM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 14:37:51 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs meh, I can't get excited about this, PC has been around for at least 20 years. The institutions in the military ignored LGBT and women serving in combat roles and now we are playing catch up with the rest of society. We are just beginning this transition and we still have a long way to go. I think COL Ted Mc are spot on and we need to focus on our mission and all those who will proudly serve.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 25 at 2015 6:56 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 18:56:34 -0400

Wow! That guy sure got it 100% right.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Aug 9 at 2017 5:40 AM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 05:40:04 -0400

I can remember when in my first couple enlistments the junior Airmen were shown what needed to be done and their Leaders; the SSGs and Sgts moved around and kept an eye on what was happening and getting done and coordinating and have it all come together, checking temps for proper doneness The 1st Cook is in the middle of it all assisting and doing a meal project, usually the entrees, and doing his job going around assisting where needed to get the whole project to pull together.
Ian's when the meal was completed ..
what need to be discarded or saved the 1st Cook is working getting that, Airmen cleaning equipment. And the leader getting the paperwork closed out returns made of items that can be returned..
After an accident upon return from a deployment I was on TDRL for a couple years.. things changed (getting p.c. Even then),. a Shiftleader had to be as tied down with a project as his Airmen were..
They were not able to properly oversee
What went one and a lot of trust and prayer came in.. and hope that what he taught his Airmen would guide them in getting their job done properly. In a way that's good but a crewleader shouldn't be tied down to a project because it's like conducting an orchestra, the music all has to come together .. A lot of stuff got changed in that few years (78-80). If I seen s'thing wrong I couldn't just go over
and correct that Airman, I had to find his Sgt. and he did it.. I was trying to help and somebody makes it look like I was interfering in the Airman's Sgt's job of guiding his conduct.. and a whole lot more..

Response by CPO Nate S. made Aug 2 at 2020 11:13 PM

CPO Nate S. — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 23:13:35 -0400

First, clicked on the link to read the article, which is why the graphic. Have the PC Nazi's somehow removed it? I wish I had been able to read the article. Without reading the article, my own experience underscores that a - politically correct military is a dead military. There is no room for political correctness in the service. There will always be a degree of politics, but political correctness will get people killed!!!

Second, I don't know much about today's Chief's community. But, I attended a friend's retirement ceremony in 2010. He was a Master Chief with both FMF and shipboard experience. He had served in the Desert a couple of times both before and after he became a Chief.

We had known each other for nearly 20 yrs when he retired. He was younger than me and a newly minted Chief in 1996, the year I retired. He said, privately at his retirement, "Nate, you would not like the CPO community now!" We talked about the politically correct nature and removal of traditions of how the CPO Community had really changed because of the loss of meaning and true intent of those traditions and intensity of increased political correct within the CPO community since I had retired back in 1996. In the mid-1990's a new breed of Chief was emerging in the US Navy. The PCC (aka Politically Correct Chief). It seemed the seeds were being sown deeper then to disrupt the cohesion the CPO mess had known.

Also, I have noticed that many are asking on the RP how to "lead" or "discipline" in the "new military".

So, while these scenes to follow are very "Hollywood" the scenes are simple to understand about the nature of leadership and the disaster that can be a politically correct military:

- Scene (1) ~ 2:13 (Lack of Understanding) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O4WuWd3dGQ. Pay attention to the language starting around the 0:27 mark.

- Scene (2) ~ 1:05 (Results Appreciated) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyDdoVIXNow

I am not suggesting cruel and unusual punishment be the order of the day for any military leader. Yet, there are men and women that have families and friends that care about them and will die when they are NOT prepared led by glory hounds or egotist who care little for them except as cannon fodder (stepping stones) because of a misguided understanding of their roles( their duty) to those they lead.

Heartbreak Ridge: "Ambush site" aftermath

"We go into combat tommorow you'll plant half those men"