LIEUTENANT COLONEL STUART SCHELLER, U. S. MARINE CORPS STEPS FORWARD
By Andy Weddington
Saturday, 28 August 2021
God favors the bold and strong of heart. - General A. A. Vandegrift, USMC (ending his final order to his command on the eve of the Guadalcanal landing)
In the event you've not heard, Lieutenant Colonel Scheller posted short video on social media Thursday evening demanding senior leadership accountability for the fiasco in Kabul, Afghanistan.
He summarized, civilly but directly, exactly what is troubling, deeply, many Marines.
But his valid points have a much bigger audience - he spoke for tens of millions of Americans; especially the families of 13 young warriors killed a few days ago.
Was he out of line?
Was he disrespectful?
Good initiative, poor judgement?
Was there better way to handle his concerns?
Leadership by example?
And so go questions - fodder for leadership discussions in formal schools and Friday Happy Hour at the Officers' Club (if that's still authorized).
I watched the video twice.
Shortly thereafter came notice he posted to social media that as of 1430 yesterday he'd been relieved of command (Advanced Infantry Training Battalion) " ... for cause based on a lack of trust and confidence ... ".
This will not be an exhaustive commentary. There's too much. Rather, a macro take from a brother Marine infantry officer who had (still has) reputation for speaking blunt truth.
Lack of trust and confidence is gobbledygook. It's generic and sufficiently vague to address any breach deemed grounds for relief. In this case for humiliating seniors - for not just failing but failing to publicly take responsibility for failing.
Military protocol is clear, informally and as detailed in the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
By the letter, Lieutenant Colonel Scheller stepped out of line.
But the spirit of his step is complex.
When looking for professional guidance, often during 26+ years in uniform and since, I turn to an old friend - a book - issued at The Basic School more than 40 years ago titled, 'The Armed Forces Officer.'
My copy of this superb 200 pages leadership manual is worn - underlined, book marks, etc. It was within arm's reach from lieutenant through colonel. And still.
Early this morning, after thinking much about Lieutenant Colonel Scheller (whom I'd not heard of until watching his video), I pulled 'The Armed Forces Officer' from our library shelf to study while enjoying quiet and a few cups of coffee.
There is no textbook answer. Rather the book offers a sense of the military culture, through actual incidents and thoughts on right and wrong from battle-tested and respected seniors, and so on.
A distant memory came to mind - an incident at sea.
Things were not good. A storm brewing - in our stateroom.
Finally, a lieutenant, peer, hastily dressed and left.
Looking our commanding officer in the eye, "Captain, you could not lead starving men to a feast."
It got worse; frustration and anger venting.
Minutes after the explosion five infantry lieutenants were summoned and at attention before their battalion commander.
A few minutes counseling - blistering (understatement) - ended, "Dismissed."
No one was formally (in writing) counseled, punished, nor relieved.
All the lieutenants retired as colonel or lieutenant colonel.
Whatever you may be thinking, fine men and Marines.
The incident instructive.
The lieutenant was right; unanimous.
Truth matters.
But speaking truth bears consequences.
As to Lieutenant Colonel Scheller, last evening I texted a retired Marine pal ... "A Marine with 17 years and everything to lose is more courageous than senior Marines with 25+ years with nothing to lose. That alone separates courage from cowardice."
Obedience, necessary for military good order and discipline, is not a leadership trait, and for reason.
In addition to 'The Armed Forces Officer,' I put difficult leadership matters before what I believe the consummate model of Marine leadership - my first commandant, the late General Robert H. Barrow, USMC, 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps.
What would General Barrow (who I met a time or two) think? What would he do?
I do not know.
But I do believe he (combat in three wars) would have handled an understandably angry and frustrated Marine combat veteran, irrespective of rank, in a way as to surprise.
Why do I say that?
Because when a major, the late Colonel Art Corbett, USMC (Retired), while war college student wrote and had published an article (1992) titled, 'Disband the Marine Corps' (calling out senior leadership), then retired General Barrow wrote to him. On his 4-star letterhead ... "Bravo!"
There is no denying Lieutenant Colonel Scheller is a man of principle; a man of conviction and courage; a patriot; a Marine who cares deeply about his country and Marines; a leader.
Page 8 ('The Armed Forces Officer') ...
"Theodore Roosevelt once said that if he had a son who refrained from any worthwhile action because of the fear of hurt to himself, he would disown him."
Lieutenant Colonel Scheller has three sons.
Men, one day, who will understand exactly what their dad did and strive to equal his example; to not disappoint.
What did the Marine generals say and do behind closed doors re: Afghanistan withdrawal?
Did they speak with candor and force to their seniors? They damn sure better had - duty.
Did they throw stars on the table? They damn sure better had - courage.
Who knows? They do. The public not yet.
But if not both, unfit to wear the uniform.
I do not know Lieutenant Colonel Scheller's fate.
Though a man of such principle and courage, rare, is always in demand.
Were I President of the United States, today General Scheller.
As I texted the same pal this morning ...
"If Donald Trump has not yet offered Stuart Scheller a position with handsome salary it's only because he's not yet seen the video."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huRnA0FfDB0
Semper fi, Lieutenant Colonel Scheller - brother.
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7 comments:
He followed his sense of duty and did what he believed was the right thing to do. He did not seek advice. He did not test the water. He did what was in his heart and by doing so made a statement. His seniors? They’re upset more so because they’ve been called out and the light cast upon them.
May God Bless and keep Lt. Col Scheller. In my opinion he spoke only the truth..........Semper Fi Brother Scheller- Jim Snetz USMC 1957-60
BGen Teddy Roosevelt Jr met his father's (and the Republic's) expectations. https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/theodore-roosevelt-jr
He was insubordinate, especially in peacetime.
Howeber, I submit that historians will come to deem that this was not peacetime, and that this sort of stunt was tantamount to diving on a grenade.
More colorfully => https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2021/08/27/resign-n2594830
" lack of trust and confidence"...... It's hard in my enlisted head to think of a Lt.Col as " junior" to anybody, ( I know, I know) but in the grand scheme of things, he makes a good punching bag for all of " the stars" needing to duck, in any branch, AND the politicians and media. Was he " insubordinate" ? Good question, that brings to mind " Gen. Milley's " verbal attacks on Trump on more than one occasion, while he was still waddling around in his XXXL utility blouse in D.C.. The active duty general repeatedly told the lie that Trump had ordered and used the National Guard to clear a park in the vicinity of a church that had been set on fire the night before, so it would provide a " photo op " for him. He said it early and often. Trump's advisors told the media that it was incorrect, but to no avail. It wasn't until months after the election was over was it finally revealed and admitted by the Mayor of D.C. that it was she that asked for ,and received the N.G., fearing that they were going to try again to burn this church down the next night in an encore blm/antifa performance. We have 2 possibilities....Milley deliberately lied on several occasions and berated his Commander in Chief, or, as what we are seeing unraveling in Afghanistan now, that he was as totally clueless about DC as he is now about everything else. Ironically, his acts were those that would really cause "lack of trust and confidence" but were never addressed by anybody. In fact they promoted him shortly thereafter. ( confirming the popular adage: " eff up...move up."
At what point did this stop being a military action upon which “military protocol” — as detailed in the Uniform Code of Military Justice —would apply? Lowly civilian here, and deeply grateful for the service and sacrifice of our beloved military…but this current “leadership” seems to have abandoned protocols and all manner of sound strategic and tactical planning, as if throwing the book away. They are operating in nonsensical manner, even to those of us in the outside, risking—and now costing—lives tragically, and unnecessarily. This leadership does not seem to be functioning as a military, using the code only as it is convenient.
Thank you for your service,
God bless America, and may God have mercy on us all!
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