"These disagreements, however, are not about persons or personalities. These are substantive differences about the best way forward. Let discussion, debate, and discourse flourish. Let us be respectful of our differences -- and each other ....."
Free men are free to speak their minds, openly and respectfully. In the military we could, with the best superiors, provide input and suggestions up to the point of decision. With the less confident and capable superiors orders were issued and any discussion was not tolerated. I personally tried to develop the confidence of subordinates in peacetime and routine circumstances so they would follow orders because trust had been developed before were in extreme circumstances and time might not allow for discussion.
FD-2030 was incubated and hatched in secrecy which undermined trust and virtually every leadership principle. It was then furthered through intimidation, threats, reliefs or marginalization. This broke the trust so fundamental to any organization let alone an elite war fighting formation. As a retired stakeholder and father of two sons who served in the Marine Corps I took this as a personal affront but was willing to discuss the issue without rancor or toxicity as expected of an officer and a gentlemen. It soon became apparent that this would not be a discussion of that sort. It became a bar room brawl as I and others like me were insulted and thrown into the trash cans of a back alley. From there it became a knife fight in the dimly lit back street. It became a fight for the life and death of the Corps and the implications that would have on national defense and by extension, national prosperity. Empires do fail for the lack of a nail.
The die have been cast and I now hold my breath and say my prayers because I believe the reversal must commence this year or as they say: “ Point, Set, Match.”
If the forces aligned cannot save this Corps the future could be a ceremonial formation servicing the needs of the political establishment.
“What once was will never been again. But if the decline was radiant, the glow will long remain”. I do not remember the author of this quote. I hope it is not germane.
Nathan Hale’s was executed at age 21 by the British. His early demise was attributed to a lack of training in spy craft . A statue of young Nathan is displayed at the CIA Headquarter’s. Grok provided this summary of his demise. “Nathan Hale (1755–1776) was an American soldier and spy in the Revolutionary War. A Yale graduate and teacher, he joined the Continental Army and volunteered to spy on British forces in 1776. Captured and hanged at 21, he famously said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," becoming a symbol of American patriotism.”. I believe MCCP exists to inform today’s American Leadership of a way out of the FD Debacle in order for Our soon to be 250 year old Corps to be resurrected from it’s current debilitated state in order to return to it’s mission of Making Marines and Winning Battles anytime and anyplace.
"These disagreements, however, are not about persons or personalities. These are substantive differences about the best way forward. Let discussion, debate, and discourse flourish. Let us be respectful of our differences -- and each other ....."
Hear! Hear! So very well said.
Free men are free to speak their minds, openly and respectfully. In the military we could, with the best superiors, provide input and suggestions up to the point of decision. With the less confident and capable superiors orders were issued and any discussion was not tolerated. I personally tried to develop the confidence of subordinates in peacetime and routine circumstances so they would follow orders because trust had been developed before were in extreme circumstances and time might not allow for discussion.
FD-2030 was incubated and hatched in secrecy which undermined trust and virtually every leadership principle. It was then furthered through intimidation, threats, reliefs or marginalization. This broke the trust so fundamental to any organization let alone an elite war fighting formation. As a retired stakeholder and father of two sons who served in the Marine Corps I took this as a personal affront but was willing to discuss the issue without rancor or toxicity as expected of an officer and a gentlemen. It soon became apparent that this would not be a discussion of that sort. It became a bar room brawl as I and others like me were insulted and thrown into the trash cans of a back alley. From there it became a knife fight in the dimly lit back street. It became a fight for the life and death of the Corps and the implications that would have on national defense and by extension, national prosperity. Empires do fail for the lack of a nail.
The die have been cast and I now hold my breath and say my prayers because I believe the reversal must commence this year or as they say: “ Point, Set, Match.”
If the forces aligned cannot save this Corps the future could be a ceremonial formation servicing the needs of the political establishment.
“What once was will never been again. But if the decline was radiant, the glow will long remain”. I do not remember the author of this quote. I hope it is not germane.
Nathan Hale’s was executed at age 21 by the British. His early demise was attributed to a lack of training in spy craft . A statue of young Nathan is displayed at the CIA Headquarter’s. Grok provided this summary of his demise. “Nathan Hale (1755–1776) was an American soldier and spy in the Revolutionary War. A Yale graduate and teacher, he joined the Continental Army and volunteered to spy on British forces in 1776. Captured and hanged at 21, he famously said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," becoming a symbol of American patriotism.”. I believe MCCP exists to inform today’s American Leadership of a way out of the FD Debacle in order for Our soon to be 250 year old Corps to be resurrected from it’s current debilitated state in order to return to it’s mission of Making Marines and Winning Battles anytime and anyplace.
Here’s an abbreviated version of Patrick Henry’s notable quotes:
1. **"Give me liberty, or give me death!"**
2. **"The Constitution is for the people to restrain the government."**
3. **"I know not what others may take, but give me liberty or death!"**
4. **"Liberties aren’t secure when rulers hide their actions."**
5. **"Is life so dear to be bought with chains? Forbid it, God!"**
6. **"Suspicion is a virtue for the public good."**
We are Revolutionaries of all ages working diligently to save Our Corps.
Thomas Jefferson strongly disliked Patrick Henry, but said he "spoke as Homer wrote."
Semper Fi!