You are the best! And I am the one with a Substack titled "Reflections on Power, Culture, and Society". Name change coming!! Thanks for another indispensable lesson in these trying times. I'll keep you posted.
I thank you, Mark, for including the comments of Tom Wolf made to the cadets. Tom's perspective was amazingly right on spot. We can see it happening now.
As one who was trained in Army Infantry during the early '70's, trained for jungle warfare in Viet Nam, I still carry those values I learned. Not values of killing, but values of honor and duty. The war ended before I had to go. I continued my service in the National Guard leaving after 6 years as a Captain. Still, I would never have wanted to be a sentinel at such a gaudy, debasing spectacle that our own President displayed on the lawn of America's house, the White House. It is totally embarrassing.
Thank you for this moving piece and for putting into words what so many of us have struggled with doing ourselves. Using our military as props in a profoundly troubling way as the president did in Sunday, literally made me ill.
Proposal: if we think we must have a professional army as opposed to a citizen army, how about a revival of the peace corps idea but now domestic--require every young American, upon completing high school (or undergraduate degree) to perform two years of some form of paid community service?
Thank you for your article about the American military and the part it plays in the American story. I would not have the courage to serve in the military, but I think that the experience is a valuable one for EVERYONE. I am an 80 year old woman--just so you understand who you are talking with. I was glad when the military draft was discontinued, but now I wonder about the all volunteer military concept being enough to defend our country. I believe that we USA citizens need to have some form of national service--mandatory, universal--to illustrate to our people that each of us owes a debt to our forebears--men and women--who have made our peaceful, prosperous existence possible. This service should be to provide social assistance to our population in the fields of education, health, public safety and public works. We need to start thinking of ourselves as Americans, not just Republicans, Democrats, libertarians, etc. The military draft was unpleasant to say the least, but in the end, it created a significant group of people (mostly men) in this country who were employed in the task of making our country and its people more efficient and open to accepting a wider spectrum of human beings. Thanks again for your observations--I always make sure to tune in if I see you as a panel member in broadcast discussions. God bless you and keep you safe (and your family also).
I'm glad Tim and Bill mentioned this article specifically in the podcast. Their comments reminded me to read Hertling's piece. I admire him so much and his perspective is always thoughtful and deliberate. So glad he is part of The Bulwark.
Thank you for your continued engagement to help people like me understand what the military should be, and has been. Your service to the country is ongoing and significant.
Trump and those who control his party would consider that treasonous. They consider your loyalty to be to Trump and his party, not the Constitution, and to help make sure that no one can chose any other freely.
It's just disgusting. The abuse of the military is revolting. Every little American principle turned on its head by these people insults me and I'm sure everyone else who cares about the country.
You can tell that Gen. Hertling is some who truly, deep down in his bones, gives a shit. I was never brave enough to put on the uniform. But if I were, I’d want to be led by someone like Gen. Hertling.
You are the best! And I am the one with a Substack titled "Reflections on Power, Culture, and Society". Name change coming!! Thanks for another indispensable lesson in these trying times. I'll keep you posted.
wow ... this article should be in 'the Army’s War College magazine Parameters' along with wolfe's.
I thank you, Mark, for including the comments of Tom Wolf made to the cadets. Tom's perspective was amazingly right on spot. We can see it happening now.
As one who was trained in Army Infantry during the early '70's, trained for jungle warfare in Viet Nam, I still carry those values I learned. Not values of killing, but values of honor and duty. The war ended before I had to go. I continued my service in the National Guard leaving after 6 years as a Captain. Still, I would never have wanted to be a sentinel at such a gaudy, debasing spectacle that our own President displayed on the lawn of America's house, the White House. It is totally embarrassing.
Thank you for this moving piece and for putting into words what so many of us have struggled with doing ourselves. Using our military as props in a profoundly troubling way as the president did in Sunday, literally made me ill.
Excellent article.
Proposal: if we think we must have a professional army as opposed to a citizen army, how about a revival of the peace corps idea but now domestic--require every young American, upon completing high school (or undergraduate degree) to perform two years of some form of paid community service?
This should be required reading -- for everyone.
Thank you for your article about the American military and the part it plays in the American story. I would not have the courage to serve in the military, but I think that the experience is a valuable one for EVERYONE. I am an 80 year old woman--just so you understand who you are talking with. I was glad when the military draft was discontinued, but now I wonder about the all volunteer military concept being enough to defend our country. I believe that we USA citizens need to have some form of national service--mandatory, universal--to illustrate to our people that each of us owes a debt to our forebears--men and women--who have made our peaceful, prosperous existence possible. This service should be to provide social assistance to our population in the fields of education, health, public safety and public works. We need to start thinking of ourselves as Americans, not just Republicans, Democrats, libertarians, etc. The military draft was unpleasant to say the least, but in the end, it created a significant group of people (mostly men) in this country who were employed in the task of making our country and its people more efficient and open to accepting a wider spectrum of human beings. Thanks again for your observations--I always make sure to tune in if I see you as a panel member in broadcast discussions. God bless you and keep you safe (and your family also).
I'm glad Tim and Bill mentioned this article specifically in the podcast. Their comments reminded me to read Hertling's piece. I admire him so much and his perspective is always thoughtful and deliberate. So glad he is part of The Bulwark.
Thank you for your continued engagement to help people like me understand what the military should be, and has been. Your service to the country is ongoing and significant.
"Its responsibility is to guard the constitutional framework that allows those debates to occur."
Will it?
"its purpose is to ensure they can occur freely."
Trump and those who control his party would consider that treasonous. They consider your loyalty to be to Trump and his party, not the Constitution, and to help make sure that no one can chose any other freely.
It's just disgusting. The abuse of the military is revolting. Every little American principle turned on its head by these people insults me and I'm sure everyone else who cares about the country.
Just saw you on Lawrence O’Donnell’s show. How did you get a black eye?
You can tell that Gen. Hertling is some who truly, deep down in his bones, gives a shit. I was never brave enough to put on the uniform. But if I were, I’d want to be led by someone like Gen. Hertling.
Once upon a time I took the same oath to Defend and protect the constitution. It's deceptively simple. It's what people like Pete Hegseth don't get.
And for a complete change of subject. Happy 251st General!
Our nation voted for reality tv 📺 in Washington