Attitude Adjustment

Note to the reader:  This was originally posted on Christmas Eve 2015 as "My Sunday Thought for December 27, 2015: Attitude Adjustment."  Between December 24th and 27^th, Poland visited this post over 375 times. Poland has always been in my "Top 10" countries for page views worldwide, but this number was beyond believable.  I'm not sure what they found so interesting, but I was happy to see my readership increase.  If my readers in Poland would leave some comments I might understand if this is more than a fluke, or an attempt to hack.

The fact that this particular post garnered top readership of all my other offerings, came as of no surprise to me.  What did come as a surprise, however, was the fact that most of the audience seem to be accessing the post from Poland.  This would not be unusual over a significant span of time, but Poland was accessing this post over twenty times per day for a couple of weeks.  Thinking something might be amiss; I took down the post and republished it a few days later.  This seemed to end whatever was going on but, unfortunately, the affair might have given this post an undeserved top position as my “most viewed” of all 762 I have written.  If asked, I would have to say Friends along Our Path... is actually my top post, in my humble opinion.

This being said, all of this takes nothing away from the importance I place on this post.  Were it not for that Polish 'bug' I feel this very well may have attained my “most viewed” ranking, anyway.  And, perhaps, there may have been a cadre of Polish readers who just liked it enough to share the link throughout Poland.  I wish I were that interesting.  If it was, I would probably be making money at this.

As this post enjoys the second highest readership for my blog, I have updated, checked the grammar and spelling, and ensured the post is a reflection of my current attitudes, adjusted or not, and decided to repost it as part of my New Year celebration for 2019. If you have read it before, I invite you to review and comment as you see fit.  If this is your first foray into the post, it isn't that long or, I hope, that boring.

Since this is, once again, the New Year for 2019, I thank you all for your continued interest!  And, for Poland:  Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku, do naszej rodziny w Polsce!  (Happy New Year, to our family in Poland!)

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Is it hard for me to believe I have an Army Airborne "grunt" for a friend?  Not really.  Nor is it unusual for me to find camaraderie among the active duty, retired, and veteran military frequenting my favorite local cigar bar a boutique cigar and a local microbrew.  We are the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Sea Bees that signed on the dotted line, volunteering to put boot to ass for corps, God, country, mom's apple pie, and that girl next door.

There is something about being a part of a greater military family.  I have found the military personnel who understand this also recognize the US Marine Corps "Core Values" of honor, courage, and commitment, as values for all branches of service, and also strive to be "always faithful" to these values.  They pledge their life to "God, Corps, and Country" in the protection of freedom and liberty.  Codes, mottos, credos and such, dictate who we are as military personnel, who we will always be and, in deference and thanks to our brave Marine Corps brothers, and sisters, for allowing us to share in their pride, what we, United States military personnel, have pledged our lives to be - always faithful! 

"The Marines don’t have any race problems. They treat everybody like they’re black."

-- Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., USAF, circa 1970

Yet, even with all this, military personnel have struggled with moral issues.  I cite the acceptance of blacks in the military and Japanese-American and Navajo units in WWII, as evidence.  Blacks have served in every conflict since the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and Japanese-Americans and Navajos volunteered in World War II.  All these units served with distinction and became some of the most highly decorated.  Did they fight for acceptance, for their country, or for both?  If you fight for one aren't you fighting for the other?  We have come a long way since the first African-American four-star, USAF Gen. "Chappie" James, Jr., made his 1970's remark, "The Marines don’t have any race problems. They treat everybody like they’re black."  The military has beaten down racial issues and thought they had a handle on gender equality until the gender line blurred.  Now it would seem we still have a significant journey ahead of us, Chappie.

But, what did we learn through it all?  What did we take away from this growth process?  Today we are at odds with women in combat roles, gays in the military, and gender dysphoria and identity.  Have we learned nothing?  Why does it take throwing everyone into life and death situations where they have to rely on each other for their very survival, regardless of who and what they are?  When do we finally move past petty bullshit and realize we are all fighting for freedom and security?

You don't have to be straight to be in the military; you just have to be able to shoot straight.

-- Sen. Barry Goldwater (1909–1998)

I remember, as a kid, hearing about gays, homosexuals, being accepted to the San Francisco Police Department.  One officer's comment stuck with me my entire life.  If he had to have a partner, relying on them to cover his back, he'd rather have a gay that isn't going to cut and run than a heterosexual coward.  It matters little what you look like, your religion, or your sexual preference.  What really matters are your core values, what you are willing to bring to the table when the chips are down, what kind of person you are, your ethics, your patriotism. 

When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.

-- Epitaph of Leonard P. Matlovich, 1988

Women in combat have always been a point of contention.  The fact that we believe women cannot do the job of a fighting man has great bearing on whether either of them come back alive from combat.  However, if a woman can prove herself a viable asset by passing the same rigorous tests the men have to perform, then I say let them do the damned job - they have, at that point, earned the right to jump and die.

I do not believe in using women in combat, because females are too fierce.

-- Margaret Mead

Just recently, the United States authorized women for combat roles.  We have tried to go down this road before when they eased the requirements so women could physically endure the testing.  I don't really believe easing requirements is what women were after, to have requirements lessened so they can have a "free pass" and die unprepared.  I don't think a woman wants to find out she wasn't really fit for the position as she faces a no-win situation during a battle.  I think she'd like to be told, honestly, that she doesn't make the grade before she eats a bullet due to her lack of ability.  And, let's be honest, if we're looking for women to go toe-to-toe with men in fighting roles, wouldn't a seriously butch lesbian be a better possible choice?  Just sayin'.

We need to show the ladies the same respect we offer men.  We need to hold them to the same standards required to accomplish the job before some lawyer for the League of the Perpetually Offended starts to piss and moan about fairness until men, also, only have to meet the relaxed requirements put forth for women.  Our society has become all about moving backward, not forward.  Where will these lax requirements leave our fighting force?  Oh, yeah, that's right, we're now handing out participation trophies.  There are no winners, bests, or number ones.  Damn, my bad.  We can all now feel secure in our participation in a war, screw winning it.  We've become so good at taking a hill and giving it right back.  No wonder we have a problem defeating terrorist Islam.  God bless America, or God help us?  I vote we not try to make this shot at women in combat be the same joke as the last attempt.

We have women in the military, but they don't put us in the front lines. They don't know if we can fight, if we can kill. I think we can. All the general has to do is walk over to the women and say, 'You see the enemy over there? They say you look fat in those uniforms.'

-- Elayne Boosler, comedian

One of the reasons for not wanting women in combat has been the thought men would be overprotective of them to the point of jeopardizing the given mission.  I'm not sure a fighting man would be any more or less concerned for a woman's welfare than any other fellow soldier in the field during a firefight, but if they are, I would think that's a good thing.  We always say we fight for mom, apple pie, and the girl next door, well, that girl is in the fight with you now, in the foxhole fighting for her life and her comrades.  This question one really needs to be concerned with is if she would be any less concerned for the men she serves with when the shit hits the fan?

Women risk inappropriate sexual conduct by the men they serve with.  Women risk more when they go into combat - they risk rape and death at the hands of the enemy.  When you are up against an enemy who, per their own scripture, are supposed to treat women with respect, this would be a good thing.  When the enemy has forsaken their holy scripture, however, any rules of moral decency are out the door.  For a woman to put herself at this additional risk voluntarily should be a source of pride for all who serve with her, not a reason to stop her from serving.  It is bravery over and above those of her comrades and is what serving one's country is all about.

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty... extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service."

-- Excerpts from the Medal of Honor Citation

Recently, I had the misfortune to witness retired military show prejudice toward the gay community.  What I witnessed was an attitude that reflected an ability for the retired individual to turn a blind eye to any physical injustice they might see perpetrated against a gay person.  This saddens me, as it should sadden all who serve to protect.  Once we start down this road it is easy to fall into a habitual judgment of others.  For a military member, tasked with fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves, this is a violation of the moral code and oath the swore to uphold.  We are supposed to rise above petty judgment; we are supposed to hold ourselves to a higher standard of conduct.  Do we have to like it?  No, but we are supposed to suck it up and continue to put boot to ass in order to protect the rights of others as guaranteed by the Constitution and our own, moral, military code of conduct.  Life isn't always fair, and military personnel, more than most, should understand this.  We're supposed to fight for people who can't fight for themselves, not stand in judgment over them.  We're supposed to protect the rights and lives of everyone we are ordered to, not pick and choose. 

"Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated." 

-- Coretta Scott King

Some soldiers think, once they leave service, they can go back to being the same slovenly, dumbass, bigoted, judgmental, immoral, sinning, slacker, they were before they joined up.  What a giant step backward this is from the training to produce a finely tuned life, freely given in the service of others.  When I hear any military veteran voice heartfelt sentiments contrary to the code they have lived and stood by, it is saddening to those of us who expect more.  Is this, also, a judgment?  I suppose it is, but it is a judgment that every soldier should expect and welcome from their military comrades.  We stand in judgment not of the people we fight for, but rather of the people we fight with.  We are held up to a different light of scrutiny by our brothers and sisters in arms, in order to ensure our conduct is above and beyond, to ensure our code is followed, and to ensure we all come back alive or, at the very least, be assured we will be brought back with honor and not left behind on the field of battle.

It is about respect.

The military way of life is an attitude adjustment.  For some, the adjustment changes their lives forever.  For others it is like tuning an engine when the timing is always a bit off; no matter how much effort is put into them, they just never seem to get it and never seem to run right.  For those of us who comprehend, learn, and understand, it is a life changing experience that will follow us back into the civilian world.

Who around you is a proud veteran?  Well, who around you looks and acts a cut above?  Who ensures their shoes are polished, dress shirts ironed and creased, and gig line is straight?  Who turns toward the flag at the playing of our National Anthem, stands to attention and salutes, and who cries at the funeral of a fallen soldier, one they never knew, giving them a heartfelt salute in farewell?  American soldiers never truly retire but remain examples of patriotism and the best of America.  They are "walking attitude adjustments" waiting for the next call to give all in service for mom, apple pie, and the people of this great nation.  We remain, forever, standing atop the imaginary wall, daring the enemy to cross the red line.

This Sunday think about the sacrifices of the first responders and the soldiers of our country.  Instead of hampering them, help them.  Instead of hindering their desire for service, show support for their patriotism.  And, above all, try to show a little respect.  If they are what they profess to be, they'll already be showing you the same.  It isn't that they require respect, but don't you think they deserve it?  

After all, they are volunteering to die for you.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Frank Anthony Villari (aka, Pastor Tony)

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."