IS THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS A VISIONARY?

IS THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS A VISIONARY?

By Andy Weddington

Monday, 13 March 2023

Sometimes being human sucks. - Melissa Marr

Last week in response to some lawmakers publicly airing the idea of ensuring leaders were of sound mind, Jill Biden, during an interview, said the proposal was ridiculous. 

Naturally, she defends her husband whose soundness of mind suspect. No one wants to admit much less face the horror of losing their spouse to dementia. 

It's a shame some humans lose cognitive agility. But there's no shame in that loss. It's life. And "Sometimes being human sucks," to again cite Melissa Marr. 

However, what's ridiculous about confirming top elected leaders, any elected leader, is not cognitively impaired?

A no-brainer, right?!

For more than three and half years I have been the moral and legal engaged guardian for someone diagnosed with dementia - Alzheimer's Disease. 

Subtle signs began at least nine years before diagnosis (following an exhaustive battery of simple to complex medical and clinical tests and interviews). 

With time, subtle signs became more frequent and less subtle. 

But this was an educated, accomplished medical professional who otherwise was engaging, funny, and independent handling life's responsibilities so the signs laughed off, explained, and dismissed. 

Then came signs defying explanation.

Time to see the professionals.  

I was present for testing and evaluation, and was interviewed. 

A caregiver since and regularly interacting with others diagnosed with Alzheimer's and sundry forms of dementia. 

Tough nonlinear progressive disease.  

Not so much on the diagnosed but on family, and friends.

So that's a bit of background for what follows.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David Berger, is taking the Marine Corps in a, to put it mildly, controversial direction.

That direction, which I'll not bother to detail here, is formally known as Force Design 2030 and Talent Management 2030. 

In a sentence, General Berger sees war with China and he is radically remaking the Marine Corps to win that fight; as he envisions.  

His critics - men who have worn the same uniform and number of stars, sat in his chair, and others who once led combatant commands, dozens of them though retired, disagree with General Berger. 

These educated, trained, accomplished, astute, wise old Marines have written and published numerous gentlemanly but pointed articles shredding FD2030 and TM2030. 

I have read most - precise, logical, thoughtful, compelling, professional arguments, focused on warfighting, just a handful of descriptors coming to mind. 

Some of these Marines I know, served under some, but most known by reputation.

When a Marine having earned four-stars, retired or not, decides to publish something - the topic has been researched and the writing edited and reedited for precision and accuracy. 

When small groups of four-stars, or any rank general, publish a single article know that reaching consensus is certainly professionally painful but worth it. Goes to each's credibility and reputation.   

The retired four-stars Marine generals, et al., have been dismissed as not visionary. 

To summarize what's going on ...

One Marine general - Commandant of the Marine Corps - is absolutely certain he sees what more than 30 retired four-stars (and untold numbers of lesser ranking generals and officers and enlisted Marines) do not as to manning, equipping, and fighting the Marine Corps. 

Peculiar?

So concludes any reasonable man. 

It's been years since spending time around General Berger. And those engagements sporadic, as I was already retired. But seeing photos and watching videos of him the past few years do not align with memory of him. Namely posture and movement do not present previous impression of robustness. 

More than two years ago I considered writing this commentary after suggesting to a longtime retired Marine friend (too with experience tending to someone with dementia) that, objectively, General Berger's demeanor and seemingly stubborn commitment to the direction taking the Corps, despite criticism, made me think of him in comparison to those, part of my practically daily routine, diagnosed with dementia.

Today, sentiment stronger. 

It may seem harsh and cold and rather out-of-line to question the cognitive fitness of the Corps' senior Marine but so it must be done.

Not alone am I. 

Recently, I've read other retired senior Marines suggesting and bantering the possibility.

There must surely be active duty Marines with akin wonderings and concerns. 

Family knows. That I do know. 

National Security requires our President be without cognitive impairment of any sort. And a Commandant of the Marine Corps, too, without cognitive impairment. 

The citizenry deserves peace of mind knowing their leaders of sound mind. 

General Berger can claim and be hailed a seer. 

But there is difference between an "Aha" visionary and an "Oh no" quixotic. 

Considering the stakes, doing what's right for the country and Marine Corps surpasses all else.

Just as three and a half years ago - observation not accusation - a reasonable man's conclusion. 

Now with years of observation coupled with extensive reading and practical experience, the difficult decision to say what many are undoubtedly thinking but will not publish. 

Duty. 

Testing and Evaluation - something the Corps is especially good at before fielding gear and weapons - can settle the matter. 

There's no down side.

President Biden and General Berger, for their welfare and our country's safety, ought be tested and evaluated.

Sincerely, I wish both men well.  

Sometimes being human sucks. 

Semper Fidelis. 

[Note: Minor edit 15 March 2023 did not change theme.]