I find that picture accompanying your post extremely disturbing. I fear the military traditions and values that you seek to defend and preserve, General Hertling, have been seriously, dangerously, and perhaps fatally undermined by our unserious Secretary of "War" and our degenerate president. Through dismissals and firings top officers in all branches of the service have been removed and replaced with sycophants loyal to the former Fox News talking head and his former reality-TV-star mob boss. War crimes are on the rise and are praised and supported by Capt. Push-ups, the war department leader. The aberrant behavior is met with silence from the Officer Corps. To be sure, some top generals have resigned, but without a word of criticism about the lawless orders that may have forced them out. This Administration has gutted and undermined the Justice Department, too, but at least there justices below the Supreme Court level have courageously defended the rule of law and pushed back against the alarming presidential overreach. I'm seeing no such push back from Pentagon officials, just a continuing slide into accommodation with a lawless administration.
I am once again impressed, delighted and amidst all the madness a bit reassured by the mind and attitude Gen. Hertling displays on a regfular basis - and want to offer my thanks. Tom Wolfe has haunted me many times with his depictions of people as they really are, what I think of as the habit of truth. I often find my own mind filling up with excuses and rationaliztions but often, thank God, I see that I just didn't get it all right. Time as Lincoln said to think again and give it a better try next time. Even our mistakes, Debs said, if we are wise enough to learn from tehm, can lead to final victory. But of course, there is no final victory to be had. Just the work to do - cultivate the garden as Voltaire suggests. The great beauty in like is an open mind and a confort with as much truth as you can find. A comfornt to know there are people in this world like the General.
The fundamental problem is that the military is drawing from an ever-narrower pool, and so becoming less representative of the broader population. Ideally, every political party and every race and ethnicity found in the US would be represented in roughly the same percentage as is found in the total population. But that's no longer the case, and that means it's easier for the military to drift into supporting the politics and cultural ideals of only those who are serving. That's something we need to guard against. The military, as you say, protects the entire nation and is not the property of any one political party or racial/ethnic/cultural group.
I have no idea how to push back against this, be we have to find a way to do so!
My son recently joined the Army. I respect his choice though it came as an unwelcome surprise. General Hertling's article has given me a new and hopeful perspective, for which I am grateful.
Why should the surprise be "unwelcome"? The profession of arms is an honorable one, as is the distinction of wearing the uniform in defense of the Republic. I must submit that it is a matter of great concern that far too many folks today believe that service is not for "people like us."
Given how frequently administrations (and especially THIS administration) have misused our military, I can understand why a son enlisting would be an unwelcome surprise. Who wants their child to fight and die for nothing?
That's a "poor government" problem, though, and not a problem with the military itself.
The military involvement in the defilement of our nation's capital was absolutely obscene!!! It was a global embarrassment. I have a bad feeling that the people we need in the military will be fleeing the service as soon as their enlistments are up or their commission's obligation is met. If I was in the military now, I would already have my "short calendar" up on the wall. We will be left with just the servile bootlickers who don't give a crap about our Constitution and never will.
As a veteran, what haunts me is the question of how the military will react to the next Trump coup. Will they stand by as election results are thrown out and political opponents are thrown in jail? Will they protect ICE Agents and take people to detention centers? Will they stand aside and watch democracy burn?
Well said!! As a “citizen soldier” serving four years, Navy, submarines, and “out.” Very well stated!
If you need more like this and from various “military tribes” seek out books by Hertling (If I Don’t come Home), MacRaven (Make Your Bed etc.), Stavridis (Accidental Admiral etc), McCrystal (On Character). These, and people like them, are the leaders we need, and that we need to follow.
Thank you, General. Your calm, reasoned posts are always historically and philosophically educational. If today's active duty military leaders retain your perspective on foundational principles, we as a country may be in a more secure place that recent political displays may have us believe. One can hope.
I’m retired Army and your thoughtful comments put so well to words the feeling I’ve had for many years now that as a military veteran I’m respected but not entirely understood. I’m very reticent about discussing my views on politics and my preferred policies, for I’ve found people don’t want discussion on the direction of the nation, they want affirmation, they want you to be in their tribe, and they are truly mystified that you could actually see good and bad points on both sides of an issue or party. Wolfe’s image of “Guardian of the Festival” captures perfectly how I’ve felt for so long since I retired. Thank you Sir for an illuminating read.
I joined the Army for mainly selfish reasons. I couldn’t afford medical school and as an HPSP recipient I received a commission as a Second Lieutenant and besides paying my tuition and fees I received a salary. Upon graduation I was immediately promoted to Captain then received my specialty training in an Army Medical Center. That training included much that my civilian peers missed out on. I learned how to run a battalion aid station, was detailed to an EVAC hospital in Korea. I received training in advance trauma life support, an activity I was highly unlikely to need in my own specialty of neonatology. During all this time I was exposed to many high ranking officers both inside the MedicalCorps and non medical officers. They struck me as intelligent, erudite, well informed individuals with a keen sense of duty to the mission. General Hertling reminds me of so many of those fine people. It is with an immense sense of pride that I thank you for your service, Gen. Hertling.
I went to medical school where several of my classmates took your route. I was fortunate as a medical student and resident to do several rotations at military medical facilities: Carswell AFB and Fort Hood Killeen. Those educational experiences served me well in my career in emergency medicine.
I find that picture accompanying your post extremely disturbing. I fear the military traditions and values that you seek to defend and preserve, General Hertling, have been seriously, dangerously, and perhaps fatally undermined by our unserious Secretary of "War" and our degenerate president. Through dismissals and firings top officers in all branches of the service have been removed and replaced with sycophants loyal to the former Fox News talking head and his former reality-TV-star mob boss. War crimes are on the rise and are praised and supported by Capt. Push-ups, the war department leader. The aberrant behavior is met with silence from the Officer Corps. To be sure, some top generals have resigned, but without a word of criticism about the lawless orders that may have forced them out. This Administration has gutted and undermined the Justice Department, too, but at least there justices below the Supreme Court level have courageously defended the rule of law and pushed back against the alarming presidential overreach. I'm seeing no such push back from Pentagon officials, just a continuing slide into accommodation with a lawless administration.
I am once again impressed, delighted and amidst all the madness a bit reassured by the mind and attitude Gen. Hertling displays on a regfular basis - and want to offer my thanks. Tom Wolfe has haunted me many times with his depictions of people as they really are, what I think of as the habit of truth. I often find my own mind filling up with excuses and rationaliztions but often, thank God, I see that I just didn't get it all right. Time as Lincoln said to think again and give it a better try next time. Even our mistakes, Debs said, if we are wise enough to learn from tehm, can lead to final victory. But of course, there is no final victory to be had. Just the work to do - cultivate the garden as Voltaire suggests. The great beauty in like is an open mind and a confort with as much truth as you can find. A comfornt to know there are people in this world like the General.
Literate and thoughtful--and already on the wire to son #2, an active-duty captain of Marines.
As always, General Hertling has provided invaluable insights as to the role of the military in a liberal democracy.
Excellent article!
The fundamental problem is that the military is drawing from an ever-narrower pool, and so becoming less representative of the broader population. Ideally, every political party and every race and ethnicity found in the US would be represented in roughly the same percentage as is found in the total population. But that's no longer the case, and that means it's easier for the military to drift into supporting the politics and cultural ideals of only those who are serving. That's something we need to guard against. The military, as you say, protects the entire nation and is not the property of any one political party or racial/ethnic/cultural group.
I have no idea how to push back against this, be we have to find a way to do so!
Another excellent essay by General Hertling; one of the best.
You have hit the nail on the head, as did Michael Wolfe. I think it’s time for National Service, so everyone remembers what Americans protect.
My son recently joined the Army. I respect his choice though it came as an unwelcome surprise. General Hertling's article has given me a new and hopeful perspective, for which I am grateful.
Why should the surprise be "unwelcome"? The profession of arms is an honorable one, as is the distinction of wearing the uniform in defense of the Republic. I must submit that it is a matter of great concern that far too many folks today believe that service is not for "people like us."
Given how frequently administrations (and especially THIS administration) have misused our military, I can understand why a son enlisting would be an unwelcome surprise. Who wants their child to fight and die for nothing?
That's a "poor government" problem, though, and not a problem with the military itself.
The military involvement in the defilement of our nation's capital was absolutely obscene!!! It was a global embarrassment. I have a bad feeling that the people we need in the military will be fleeing the service as soon as their enlistments are up or their commission's obligation is met. If I was in the military now, I would already have my "short calendar" up on the wall. We will be left with just the servile bootlickers who don't give a crap about our Constitution and never will.
As a veteran, what haunts me is the question of how the military will react to the next Trump coup. Will they stand by as election results are thrown out and political opponents are thrown in jail? Will they protect ICE Agents and take people to detention centers? Will they stand aside and watch democracy burn?
A more frightening question: will they actuaslly participate in it?
Mark you’re a national treasure. Thank you for writing this.
Everyone should read and understand it
Well said!! As a “citizen soldier” serving four years, Navy, submarines, and “out.” Very well stated!
If you need more like this and from various “military tribes” seek out books by Hertling (If I Don’t come Home), MacRaven (Make Your Bed etc.), Stavridis (Accidental Admiral etc), McCrystal (On Character). These, and people like them, are the leaders we need, and that we need to follow.
Thank you, General. Your calm, reasoned posts are always historically and philosophically educational. If today's active duty military leaders retain your perspective on foundational principles, we as a country may be in a more secure place that recent political displays may have us believe. One can hope.
General Hertling,
I’m retired Army and your thoughtful comments put so well to words the feeling I’ve had for many years now that as a military veteran I’m respected but not entirely understood. I’m very reticent about discussing my views on politics and my preferred policies, for I’ve found people don’t want discussion on the direction of the nation, they want affirmation, they want you to be in their tribe, and they are truly mystified that you could actually see good and bad points on both sides of an issue or party. Wolfe’s image of “Guardian of the Festival” captures perfectly how I’ve felt for so long since I retired. Thank you Sir for an illuminating read.
Tom Cannon
Asheville, NC
I joined the Army for mainly selfish reasons. I couldn’t afford medical school and as an HPSP recipient I received a commission as a Second Lieutenant and besides paying my tuition and fees I received a salary. Upon graduation I was immediately promoted to Captain then received my specialty training in an Army Medical Center. That training included much that my civilian peers missed out on. I learned how to run a battalion aid station, was detailed to an EVAC hospital in Korea. I received training in advance trauma life support, an activity I was highly unlikely to need in my own specialty of neonatology. During all this time I was exposed to many high ranking officers both inside the MedicalCorps and non medical officers. They struck me as intelligent, erudite, well informed individuals with a keen sense of duty to the mission. General Hertling reminds me of so many of those fine people. It is with an immense sense of pride that I thank you for your service, Gen. Hertling.
I went to medical school where several of my classmates took your route. I was fortunate as a medical student and resident to do several rotations at military medical facilities: Carswell AFB and Fort Hood Killeen. Those educational experiences served me well in my career in emergency medicine.
"My concern here isn’t that single event, or any single administration, or any single political movement."
With all due respect, sir, I think it's imperative that we be concerned about all three of these things.