I agree with this sentiment. As Lt. Gen. Smedley Butler (USMC) described at some length more than 75 years ago, the U.S. military has been mostly used to support what some have called “plunder capitalism,” making victims and enemies across the globe. Read Jonathan Kwitny’s book “Endless Enemies” or William Blum’s book “Killing Hope” for the lengthy track record. How large a military would we need if we didn’t create so many enemies?
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We unconstitutionally send trillions in aid to foreign countries that have never once aided Americans in a time of need. Ukraine, Israel, et al aren’t sending help to Appalachia, for example. Yet we are told both are “vital strategic interests.” I think you need to flesh out that term, otherwise the same pattern will continue in which everything the Military-Industrial complex wants to do is a “vital strategic interest.”
America is not supposed to be a global empire. I know of no legitimate American interest that requires even one overseas base. Perhaps you could elaborate on that.
I agree with your other suggestions. I’m appalled at the current crop of flag and other officers with their walls of chest ribbonry. Contrast their accomplishments with this fellow and his more modest decorations.
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The only point I would add is this:
- Equate all funding into our national military to that of what is funded towards civilian militias. Every citizen militia group needs to be armed and ready no less than our military.
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I disagree. China , Iran and Russia propose any number of threats to us.
We should return to our roots and stay out of any affairs that does not concern us. We should even invoke the Monroe Doctrine to keep America safe again and handle our domestic issues to our own. Even President James Monroe once said;
“The citizens of the United States cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor of the liberty and happiness of their fellow men on that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded or seriously menaced that we resent injuries or make preparation for our defense.”
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I grew up with the Vietnam war on TV everyday, to young to understand it. At that time young Americans were still being forced/drafted to fight. Moving forward, any and all war has been thousands of Americans dying in far away places, irreparable physical and mental damage with not even satisfactory care given when they returned home. These situations were only and ALL about money making, life was totally expendable, status quo.
NO! No more wars period. We need to get ourselves out of the false inflated ego syndrome and yes we need big time diplomacy! I’m positive there are very intelligent people who know considerably more than I on the actual facts of what other super powers interests are, and if there is a very real concern then to build up a balanced military force (offensive and defensive) would have to be addressed, in case of a direct attack. And we had better start listening and take up utilizing the negotiation strategies so well brought by RFK.
One last comment, Nuclear. It is incomprehensible that we somehow believe that it’s an option ??? It is annihilation it is not Atomic,Hiroshima nor Nagasaki, we all saw what those bombs were like! A nuclear war means the end of the world full stop, get your heads on straight this is not a game. The Industrial Military Complex is a corporate entity that is out of control! Seriously unless you’ve got some kind of access to another planet to go to, or your an alien race that can thrive in a post nuclear atmosphere I don’t know what your thinking, living underground? Yeah that sounds like a great existence.
RIGHT NOW we must become very civilized and STOP this insane ingrained patterning that war is an avenue to take. We KNOW it is the worst thing ever and the only way this can change is when WE decide to NEVER take it up again. PLEASE consider this very seriously.
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Some very good points made by most of the contributors. I’ve always admired the USMC. Their ability to do more with less is impressive. I also think that ability and mindset should be nurtured and encouraged across all services starting from the top down. If the military leadership wants to know what the services need, ask the grunts, especially the warfighters.
I also like the idea of more inter-service cooperation and training. Cut down on the rivalry and encourage cooperation and teamwork.
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Don’t forget cyberspace protections as well. Foreign adversaries are disrupting, harming, and destroying American businesses daily.
I agree with all of Colonel MacGregor’s basic, high level points. I would add these additional overarching points to his. The U.S. military must return to a merits based program in recruitment, promotion and retention. As the force will likely be dramatically downsized if these policies are implemented, a near term opportunity to reinforce such a return to a meritocratic system is available. The backbone of the service is the quality and character of its troops and leaders. The military service cannot be used as a social experiment. This focus on merit and character becomes a challenge when the societal pool from which the service draws is increasingly not of the quality needed. The drawdown thus also affords an opportunity to strengthen these attributes by affording more room for selectivity. Reinvigorated ROTC programs could also aid as well as national programs aimed at increasing the health of our young people, truly a national security issue given its current sad state.
To enable several of Colonel MacGregor’s points, we need a Congress which will reassert its authority in the decision making process to war, as well as actions short of war which could readily escalate. An immediate repeal of the 2001 AUMF is a required first step. At the time of this writing, President Biden has deployed U.S. forces on the ground in Israel. To my knowledge, no notification to Congress was made and no public announcement was made. A notification to the gang of eight involving a scenario which could end in WWIII is insufficient. Likewise, we should terminate any authorities and capabilities for offensive covert operations by the CIA, and revert them to their primary purpose of collecting and coordinating foreign intelligence. This, of course, includes terminating CIA activities in wet works and coups. It also requires enhanced congressional oversight and budget transparency. A new Church type commission should be established to review and expose past and current extralegal activities. All CIA activity aimed at domestic targets, be that in the information space or otherwise, must be terminated.
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Thank you for your diligence and perseverance in sounding the alarm throughout online media! You remind me of my grandfather, “Big Rog” Perry USN, who certainly would not stand for DOD’s actions! Blessings of Divine Light & Love of The One Creator Source*
Rev CW Hardenbergh-Perry
A strong economy is essential to National Security… The new power struggle happens through more subversive means like economic and information warfare.
We have a strong military front and a soft white underbelly exposed through the failure of our leaders to identify the economic vulnerabilities that exist in our international trade arrangements.
Please read and vote for a defense against the newest economic attack (surfaced in the past 5 years) on America which is mostly unknown, ignored or unnoticed by our representatives
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But what do we do with the 67 ton war beasts that are used to being fed billions of dollars, steel, uranium and blood? If we could lessen their appetite (wish us luck), find a way (not climate change) to keep American companies profiting, creating, inventing without unjustified, hypocritical and ungreen mass death, destruction and pollution that would be great. I suppose we always need to be inventing… as often happens in war but is there anyway that happens with less war and still keep our edge if we need to defend our nation?
Agree Completely.
I also remember a time when would conduct a REFORGER in FRG to test our “mobility” in the event of war. This exercise also gave many a talking head the chance to remind us that this was another reason to have forward deployed forces/ bases. While I agree that we must exercise that cape… I DO NOT think it requires long established bases to conduct. Nor do I believe this model (fixed bases overseas) truly exercises lodgment or bridgehead capes. Starting from scratch is more realistic than having fixed sites that are fully functional. This juice is no longer worth the squeeze; particularly in light of the fact that we seem to abuse our forward presence permissions and conduct many an “operational act” that in practice hurts our relations.
Lodgement/ Bridgehead mobility exercises can be done with friendly nations on a limited basis that last only a week or two, OR can be done within our own borders.
At this point a good lodgement exercise might be needed to retake our own borders as they have been overun for some time now.
What are your thoughts on the Swiss model of Active Neutrality?
The concept of a broad-based, trained, armed and organized National Militia could serve as the basis for our national defense. I feel a US Based force with clear guidelines of engagement in military actions would be attractive to the patriotic spirit embedded in our people. A National Militia could be broad based, focused on protecting American lives and liberty and have a clear mission. I believe a National Militia could do the following:
- Replace the existing standing Army which was anathema to our founders.
- Provide a focus on the moral reason we serve - Our American Values. I believe wars are ultimately won and lost on moral values and will.
- Focus on the physical health and welfare of Americans.
- Provide a platform for money to be used for education or business - New GI bill.
- Serve as a force to protect our local communities from 21st century threats.
- Bring together large segments of the population to help build community and cohesion as a nation.
A National Militia could replace the current standing Army thereby freeing up significant funds. With a focus on protecting The US, we would get out of the business of nation building and in turn become more diplomatic and thoughtful with our conduct towards other nations. We could lean into Our Values as a National and become a moral leader once again.
Active Neutrality is in keeping with our history and principles as a nation and should be the foundation for our National Defense.
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I like the ideas. I would add that during times of peace, part of the militia force could be seconded to local law enforcement for those times that LEOs are inundated with rioters and other bad actors operating in concert. Maybe drug interdiction as well.
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There is absolutely no reason that we do not denuclearize the world. It’s time to sunset this corrosive ideology that we are made stronger by arming the world with earth-eradicating weapons.
Let’s take the gift of nuclear brilliance and make energy cheap and abundant. There are no need for nuclear warheads in the 21st century.
Any policy on National Defense/Homeland Security should include revitalization of the Militia of the several states as it is the Militia of the several states that are to “execute the law… suppress insurrection , and repel invasion”. The Militia of the several states have primacy in this role per the constitution itself and the natural laws that produce a sovereign people.
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100% we either need to be in the fight or out of the fight not supporting it from a distance.
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While this is all certainly true, it must walk hand-in-hand with the dialing back of the intelligence community’s meddling in foreign affairs. Please consider how to tame the intelligence community as part of this program.
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Input of prime example. This has been a long standing issue. Last Iraq war my husband was in MC and the Army wanted to be first boots on the ground. They wanted to be there first so badly that they arrived before the first in and last out. Marines that establish the perimeter and set up the base. The people with all the equipment, food, and gear arrive a week later. I swear to you they took their time on purpose just to make it clear to the Army the repercussions of their grandstanding.