put our own military in danger of being treated in the same unconscionable manner while not enhancing our ability to obtain information through violent and illegal means. Without a doubt, Bush and his entourage committed war crimes. Now Hegseth is in agreement with them and thus promoting the commission of further war crimes.

 

Hegseth a

lso wants women out of combat roles in the military.  Given the nature of warfare today, this is an impossibility.  60 years ago when I initially studied military science, the instruction was based on a WWII model with a front line (called the FEBA - Forward Edge of the Battle Area) which gave birth to the notion of a relatively safe “rear area” where exposure to hostile fire was minimal. Today that model is deader than the Dodo.  Even in Vietnam, there were no front lines.  I spent my last six months in My Tho, a small town in the Mekong Delta where I led an intelligence collection team in support of Riverine and 9th Infantry Division forces.  Mortar rounds landed near our quarters/office several times.  I was shot at while on the roof of our small building at midday.   Combat roles are now even murkier. Women are integrated at all levels in all the armed services and have proved themselves well in combat roles. Women are successfully completing the former “macho” courses like Ranger and Airborne [NB: Hegseth is neither Airborne nor Ranger qualified].  Hegseth is mourning a perceived loss of machismo in the ranks and therefore promoting a false notion that “girls” cannot or should not perform hazardous duties, including the combat arms. Believe me, “the girls” can… watch THIS, for example.  

In conclusion, I would like to add that dealing with senior military and civilian leaders in the intelligence community and in the Pentagon, or at the combatant command echelon in general, is to experience a totally different level of exactitude.  It is nothing like brie