IT'S ABOUT OUR STREAMERS AND SILVER BANDS

IT'S ABOUT OUR STREAMERS AND SILVER BANDS 

By Andy Weddington

Saturday, 26 March 2022

Everything in war is simple. But the simplest thing is difficult. - Carl von Clausewitz

Last evening a retired Marine sent me an article written by James Webb published yesterday in the Wall Street Journal. 

Mr. Webb, a Marine, wrote about the current war; disagreeing brothers inside the Corps. 

Twenty-two retired Marine generals (four-stars) disagree with the active duty four-star Marine's direction for the Corps. 

The generals, some commandant past, tried quiet gentlemanly diplomacy.

The Commandant continues to march. 

The generals have publicly drawn sword.  

Who's out of step?

Mr. Webb's article masterfully simple: Concise, clear the issue, the parties, what's at stake - national security (in short, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; yours and mine).  

His take considered aside what I have done all my life - paint.

To paint simply. 

It is damn difficult. And most difficult is not painting rather to first see clearly the simple. 

Simple can be painted but not before seen, and understood. 

The obvious most times is not to the oblivious. 

Alone, the powerhouse platoon of 22 retired generals makes strong argument. 

Consider their backing lieutenants, majors, and brigadiers and that's star power.  

Though impressive the stars they're not the strongest argument against Force Design 2030.

The most compelling is simple. 

Obvious. 

Fifty-four streamers and silver bands top the official Battle Colors of the Marine Corps. 

Those colorful streamers and silver bands, some device-adorned noting multiples, mark military campaigns in which Marines have partaken; tastefully symbolizing a color soaked in sweat and blood and sacrifice and grief spanning our history - American Revolution to present.

Translation: Marines fight battles. Marines win. National security preserved. 

So, 22 in step generals important but mere proxy; sworn duty.  

Not in 42+ years of being a Marine have I seen or heard of such a war waged amongst our generals. 

There's casualties in war.  

But the blood that really matters has been spilled (more to flow); for Constitution - national security.

Not brushing aside timeless Principles of War, Force Design 2030's concerns?

Not simple.

Difficult. 

Everything? 

And, logically, and most importantly, as Mr. Webb correctly emphasized, threat to national security.

What does the Commandant see?

For simple, lessons from ...

Twenty-two retired generals and divisions of Marines, et al.; Carl von Clausewitz, warrior; and Willem de Kooning, painter, apply. 

First, see, and understand, it's about our streamers and silver bands.