General Amos has a message for POTUS: Get in the Fight

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 17:58:02 -0400

The Commandant's message.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-marine-obama-fight-191600744.html

I don't know your opinion of the Commandant, but for those that have worked with/around him probably share the same opinion as I do, he is a brilliant and fearless leader!

Looking at history (and what we've done in other theaters - Germany/Korea)...is he really saying that we've given up? Any thoughts?

Top Marine to Obama: Get in the Fight

It’s highly unusual for a high-ranking soldier, let alone a high-ranking Marine, to publicly question White House and Pentagon policy. Yet that’s exactly what four-star Gen. James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, did yesterday in Washington. Speaking at the Brookings Institute Tuesday, Amos said the Obama administration paved the way for the emergence of the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) by completely withdrawing American troops...

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2014 6:25 PM

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 18:25:19 -0400

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 16 at 2014 6:27 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 18:27:54 -0400

If this is true, right content, wrong forum.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2014 9:30 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:30:05 -0400

I think Iraq was an epic failure from the beginning. I have been there twice and I am what he is referring to as the "disillusioned Soldier." We pulled out falsely claiming that the Iraqi military was ready. We left Syria spill over into Iraq by not be positioned to counter any run off of terrorists. We made mistakes at the start of the war. We got it on track to only derail again. The only hope they have is the Shi ate militia's, like the Mahdi Army. We should have kept a presence there instead of making a talking point for a political legacy.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2014 9:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:49:45 -0400

I appreciate the sentiment. I am not certain that I agree that he is specifically speaking to ISIS/Iraq as much as he is potentially addressing the inactivity that we have become mired in. Think about all of the redlines in Syria and Ukraine that were moved beyond without so much as political or military action. Speaking against something does little stop people unless they understand the consequences will be enforced. It also seems as though General Amos may not agree with the fact that options that can help leverage political and diplomatic tools, such as military action or at least the threat of military action, were pulled of the table prior to the situation even developing.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2014 2:06 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 02:06:42 -0400

...Yes CSM, Gen. MacChrystal certainly comes into the picture here. We have been told right from Basic Training that we don't challenge or say anything that could be construed to be offensive and disrespectful to the President of the United States because he is the Commander-in-Chief. In the same way, we are to obey the orders of the officers appointed over us. That was supposed to be simple but it seems it is not. History always seem to repeat itself .

When General McArthur wanted to play hardball with President Truman, many thought the General was doing the right thing until the President relieved of his duties and all of a sudden, that fearless top-gun of a General became powerless.

As a top-notch General, you have the right to your opinion but to challenge your boss, who happens to be the Commander in Chief in such a public manner is tantamount to being disrespectful and way out of line for that matter. The General may have political ambitions so I guess he used that forum as a launching pad. Other than that, top officers must leave some of these rants to the politicians.

He may be a fine officer and a gentleman rolled in one but I do not think that was the right forum to air such a rant. It was a partisan political forum and our Generals are better than that!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 17 at 2014 9:01 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 09:01:31 -0400

Okay so two points I would like to raise up. First, I believe Gen. Amos is speaking as a commander who is frustrated by what he is seeing in Iraq now. As the article stated, over 800 Marines were killed securing the Anbar Province. He probably looks back and is wondering if it was worth those lives. He's the top commanding officer in the Marines so I'm sure he feels some responsibility and doesn't want to see more lives lost for something we are just going to throw away.

Secondly, with his retirement coming up, I'm sure he might have his eyes on what is next for him. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him on a ballot sometime soon.

Response by Maj Ahron Oddman made Jul 24 at 2014 2:13 PM

Maj Ahron Oddman — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 14:13:37 -0400

So on the original question raised, the Commandant's comments were appropriate, but I recognize the sensitivity in having a top US General criticizing the President, in public.

Gen James Amos is a patriot, has had a front seat in military / foreign policy leaderhship for the past 6+ years as a top General in DC, and likely has had his voice heard behind closed doors in private. I don't think his comments point to a toxic dissension in the ranks, and don't really embolden our enemies anymore than they were already.

I also don't believe his comments were motivated by any future political ambitions he may have, which I don't think he's given us any evidence that he has any after serving 30+ years on active duty. As a patriot and service head, he realizes that downside of a rapid, deep withdrawal and more than saying "I told you so" with Iraq, he is sounding the warning bells for Afghanistan.

The Taliban ain't much nicer than ISIS, and it borders Iran and Pakistan, more importantly.

Response by SGT Daniel Porcupile made Jan 19 at 2015 2:08 AM

SGT Daniel Porcupile — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 02:08:42 -0500

I just posted the same topic about the same question.. Should be an interesting discusssion