GNASHING TEETH

GNASHING TEETH

By Andy Weddington

Friday, 12 August 2022

The readiness is all. - William Shakespeare

Earlier this week a routine visit to the dentist for semi-annual cleaning.

It's a small, friendly and quite good, family practice.

Escorted to the treatment room and seated, the tech hesitantly asked if a military related question possible.

"Sure, what's on your mind?"

"Is our military ready?"

"No."

"That's what my spouse and I have concluded. We pay attention. We have friends with children on active duty. And we're not comforted by what we see and read in the news. We're deeply concerned."

We talked a bit then moved along with the business of checking gums and ridding tartar and stain. 

She worked, continued talking, and I gurgled replies. 

An embarrassing disaster leaving Afghanistan.

Generals who can't win wars and driven not by duty but the next promotion and safeguarding post-uniform gigs.

More. Plenty more.  

When the U. S. Marine Corps discharges a regiment+ of Marines for refusing an experimental vaccine, there's cause for concern.

And that's not to mention the thousands more from the other services discharged for refusing, there's cause for concern. 

When Marines, active or not, not only quit recruiting but discourage service, there's cause for concern.

In today's Early Bird two articles germane ...

1. "Navy offers future sailors, veterans up to $115,000 in enlistment, loan repayment incentives"

That is desperation. That is the search for body quantity not quality. That is the search for soul sellers. 

2. "The Army has so far recruited about half the soldiers it hoped for fiscal 2022"

Hope is not a course of action. 

Clear it is those historically with propensity to service are not interested. Good people do not sell morals and principles. And good people is what a volunteer military requires.

Money compounds interest but it also compounds problems.

The Marine Corps and other services did not just discharge active duty and reserve personnel, they discharged recruiters. And families and friends as recruiters.

Not good headwork in the Pentagon.  

A soundbite about leadership ...

Leadership means capability and competency and winning and that results in good people following and they'll follow for nothing but knowing they're led. 

So discard the term "bad leadership." Rather, 'People in Charge' (not leaders) cannot buy the people of character - morals and principles - they need to follow. 

The end result predictable. 

Only for nuclear superiority, our enemies, for the time being, at bay. 

The tech finished. 

The dentist examined and declared fit. 

Rising from the chair, the tech asked, "What can we do?"

On paper I wrote ...

"Google General Robert H. Barrow, USMC SASC testimony Women in Combat" 

That search links to (url could not recall) ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy--whDNNKk

"That's for starters. It's 16 minutes of the most compelling impromptu without notes testimony you will ever hear. And it's as, if not more, relevant than when delivered 31 years ago. It's relevant to your concerns and what we discussed." 

"Our family will watch tonight. I promise."

"My bet is you'll watch more than once. Write your representative and Senator. Do not be quiet. Keep the faith!"

And with that I scheduled an appointment and carried on - smartly - with sparkling teeth.