To change a military: U.S. approaching a crossroads of failure or great accomplishment

This article originally appeared in The Washington Times on January 16th, 2024

The history of the U.S. military does not follow a straight line of organizational well-being or even success.

Our military has been forged in battles that resulted in both successes and failures. Its most cherished victory came in our Revolutionary War, when George Washington’s bedraggled, undernourished and battered army crossed the Delaware River on a cold December night and routed the Hessian forces encamped at Trenton.

That battle changed the trajectory of our Revolutionary War, which ended at Yorktown with the defeat of the mighty British Empire. It changed the course of history. We should use it as a marker for the future. We are approaching a crossroads of failure or great accomplishment.

In the nearly 250 years since then, our military has seen defeats, near defeats and dramatic success. It has survived a Civil War in which brother fought brother, and it led the world to victory in two world wars.

Our military’s leadership has been flawed and, at times, flawless. Our commanders in chief have on occasion been bolder than our military leaders, but they, too, have made mistakes or led perfectly.

It is abundantly clear that the framers of our Constitution understood the need for a strong military coupled with a strong commander in chief to provide for our common defense.

Still, the source of American military power is derived from our citizens. The foundation has been and always will be our people. The young men and women who serve are the ones who stand on the ramparts, protecting us from the barbarians at the gate. Thanking them is useless without action and a commitment to excellence.

Today, we are failing them...

Read full op-ed in The Washington Times.