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#miltwitter We have to admit that it is not far-fetched that as you read this, a soldier in your organization is going through the barracks, the motorpool, your formations. They are recruiting troops into organizations that are antithetical to our values and the Constitution. 1/
This has been brewing for several yrs. I've seen it in the comments sections of military-themed online pubs and on the FB feeds of men and women I've served with. I've seen them move to endorse Qanon conspiracy theories, which I believe has only gotten worse since COVID. 2/
I've severed ties with them. This is not a difference in opinion—it’s an irreconcilable difference in what we value—in the oaths we took. This conduct is a betrayal of our teammates and the legacy of valor we inherited. This is worth protecting or nothing is. 3/
Yesterday I saw numerous news reports of the FBI bulletin warning of various demonstrations planned in the coming days across our nation. The report details in one of its bullet points that a group is planning to "storm capitols." This is extremism, as was January 6. 4/
Although I appreciate some senior leaders re-affirming our oath to the Constitution today (this is not a subtweet, it's an observation), we are allowing those who do not share our values to own the narrative. They are always first with their message. 5/
This issue is not just about the Army today, but about the future force. As we have become more insular, fewer and fewer of our fellow Americans know someone in uniform. Many are like me and followed a parent or other relative into a lifetime of service. 6/
Our fellow citizens look at the FB feeds of our soldiers—some of whom are openingly expressing extreme and/or hyper-partisan views—as the values of the US Army. 7/
That pains me greatly -- it also has potential recruitment and accession implications, which IMHO is more important than any near-term discomfort that any of us have. 8/
I do not long for the days when soldiers had to register their social media accounts—vaguely remember this happening. That being said, I sense from recent calls and texts exchanged with currently serving leaders that they are longing for guidance and leadership. 9/
Surely we can openly denounce extremism to our formations without being partisan (if that is the concern). We also clearly have an obligation to do so as the words "bear true faith and allegiance to the same" remind us. 10/
AR 600-20 (Army Command Policy) informs our obligations to the Army and to those we lead. It's section on extremism is particularly relevant here. 11/
My interpretation of Army Command Authority is that commanders can restrict soldiers from attending these planned protests based upon the likelihood of violence and its potential threat to the health and security of service members attending. 12/
If accurate, it would be helpful for Senior Commanders to issue these orders. Subordinates are struggling with determining their limits. Wildly gesturing at the oath of office is unhelpful as it is clear that at least some who swore allegiance to the same are the problem. 13/
Lastly, command authority comes with a wide array of punitive and administrative tools to hold service members accountable and maintain good order and discipline. 14/
The knock on some is "different spanks for different ranks" or even the amount of personal time it takes to follow through with these actions. Use them where appropriate. Before doing anything, CYA: Call Your Attorney! END/
