What do you think about this article in regards to military social issues?

2014-05-01T19:33:25-04:00

A recent article came out about a Navy Commander who says that Sailors are leaving the service due to the emphasis placed on social issues, ie, gays in the military, women in combat roles; basically the military is more focused on everything but combat and the real role of the military. I, myself, am exhausted of all the social issues that we are seemingly force fed every month, Asian pacific islander month, child abuse month, all these things that contribute absolutely nothing to accomplishing the mission. What say you?

Also, here's a link to the Washington Times version of the article
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/25/sailors-leaving-navy-over-stress-on-social-issues-/?page=all

Sailors leaving Navy over stress on social issues, Top Gun instructor says

A Navy fighter pilot warns that retention is beginning to suffer from the military’s pursuit of social programs.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 1 at 2014 7:40 PM

2014-05-01T19:40:04-04:00

I am a big time Liberal but I hadn't thought about it much and you really do bring up a very valid point! At what point does all the "Sensitivity Training become overwhelming" With all the qualifications and training just in your MOS/NEC, Rate Training, Underway Qualifications, Drilling, Leadership Schools and now the new stuff. Damn. Glad I'm not playing anymore that does sound like too much on anyone's plate and cuts into your outside life if at all possible.

Response by Lt Col Louis Botta made May 7 at 2014 8:40 PM

2014-05-07T20:40:47-04:00

I remember during my first years in the Air Force, my CO complaining in private that Truman's desegregation order was the worst thing that ever happened in the military. And I well remember him saying that "Negroes are good for hard physical labor but not much for jobs requiring intelligence". And then he'd go on that "all that new stuff on EEO has nothing do do with the mission and it will create disunion and subvert order and discipline"... And it was not only him, but I remember some of his fellow O-6s utter similar statements at the Officers' Club dinner table. And that the riots at Travis AFB "should have been answered with machine guns instead of a cockamamie program on race relations in the military". I remember that as if was today.

That's within my lifetime. Today, the same mentality applies to opposition to women in combat, marriage equality and gender roles. No different. Progress in the military may be imposed. But it takes a generation, and a change in the hearts, minds and attitude of people and future leaders to bring about a sea change.

I am wildly optimistic about the new generation taking over the reins of our military and government. We are blessed. If someone wants to leave because a woman boss or a gay couple makes them uncomfortable, go ahead. Bye Bye.