To serve against all enemies...

Service members do not enlist to espouse political causes. They enlist to serve.

By Rev. Jim Purcell, MPS (Ret.)

I was 17 years and 6 days old the first time I raised my hand and swore: "...to defend the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same" as a U.S. soldier. Neither myself or anyone else who ever took that oath enlisted to espouse, represent or advocate any political sentiment occurring in this country or any other. The Armed Services possess a singular mission they perform in many ways, yet it comes to the same -- They serve the duly elected leaders placed in authority by the majority vote of those governed.

The military has no place, and should never possess a place in the antics of political theatre, nor should any serviceman or servicewoman espouse a political ideology to the point where it inhibits the performance of their duties, creates a conflict for the service member in performing their duties, or compels a service member to advocate for any political group or sentiment.

Why?

Because this nation would become unglued if that ever happened. Because once the U.S. military cannot be trusted, nor its soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines then they immediately cease to have a function in our republic's operation and, instead, become that thing they swore they would protect the nation from -- an enemy.

Why is this guy bringing this up, anyway?

Glad you asked. I have been reading many sentiments and postings, essays and slogans, which state there is a "Second American Revolution" brewing because President Barack H. Obama is in office, and there are a million claims about why he shouldn't be there. However, I can think of only one reason President Obama should be there -- because he was voted in by the American people: Argument solved.

The other thing I am distressed about are these extreme Right Wing groups that threaten hostility again the nation, peaceable groups within this nation and rule by their own "military" (I call it treasonous) means. And, some of these groups, be they Christian or political, have actively recruited people within the military to spread their nonsense and regurgitate their bile. Now, this is where the line is crossed: Right there.

I did not enlist to serve President Reagan, nor continue to serve just for Bush 1 -- I enlisted to protect the Republic and obey the orders of those officers and NCOs placed over me. In my day, this political nonsense would not have been tolerated, I believe. During these times, though, things are entirely different. Some soldiers happily serve some presidents and mutter threats under their breath to others: To be clear, the latter practice speaks not to one's 'resolve as a patriot' as much as it does the service member's patent inability to serve satisfactorily or loyally in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

There are those political pundits who would attempt to abridge my view on this: 'We should be able to make a comprise!' And, yet I think not. What is the compromise to loyally serving our Republic...huh...disloyally serving our nation?' No, not now...not ever...should that be a compromise for the sake of social media or T-shirts, websites, petitions and/or assemblies of people or groups, or through political correctness that allows would-be traitors to gather strength amongst the citizenry.

Personally, I thought Bush I was only a fair president, and his son, GW Bush, was a catastrophe that destroyed the very fabric of the American economic system and resulted in lives lost unnecessarily by U.S. service members and civilians by the thousands in wars of choice in Southwestern Asia (not the Middle East, as so many cite wrongly). Yet, if I were in service, I would not have uttered one single word against my President -- not because I liked him and not because I was 'buckling under peer pressure.' I would not do this because I am an American fighting man and took an oath to obey the orders of those leaders placed over me, without hesitation or abridgement.

If I didn't like him, it still is not my place to disobey the President, or to mock him, ridicule him or spread dissent against whomever happens to be sitting in that chair. As a civilian, I can say whatever I want, and frequently do. Still, as much as I did not like either of the Bush's -- I never would be so bold or treacherous to voice a sentiment to edit the will of the American people and/or usurp duly elected civilian office holders.

People say a lot of treasonous garbage online and I hate it. I do not have long chats about this online. It is just that each time some Tea Party group threatens and demeans the President or threatens horrible consequences upon the American people by them in the future, I cannot help but get a shiver down my spine and to spit the slimy taste such things create in my mouth.

Either one is an American or they are not. Either one is a citizen through the good and bad living within the Founders' dreams or they are not. And, if they are not then I would gladly pack their bags for them and get transportation for them to the nearest railhead or airport so they can get the hell out of here and go wherever they think their crap will work -- just don't come back. Please.

Well, I think that's all I have to say about that, borrowing the words of that great patriot Forrest Gump.