....If you leave here
with the word DUTY implanted in your mind; if you leave here with the
word HONOR carved in your soul; if you leave here with love of COUNTRY
stamped on your heart, then you will be a twenty-first century leader
worthy...of the great privilege and honor...of leading...the sons and
daughters of America..." -
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf to
the
Corps of Cadets on May 15, 1991
Our
military knows and exudes an air of confidence and competence. Even
with the occasional reported failings of command or individual
service members, our military has for twenty years remained the most
highly regarded institution in America according to Gallup polling.
And, no matter what one's politics, it is generally agreed; they
execute their mission with an unparalleled professionalism and are
recognized for their hallmark attitude of honorable service.
The truth is,
they do their duty irrespective of the partisan politics,
philosophical predilections of foreign policy mavens or profit
motives of the military contractors who produce their weapons and
supplies. Their motivations are for the nation, the families they
have left behind, and their hopes yet to be fulfilled; but even more
so for the fellow-soldier with whom they stand shoulder to shoulder.
They go where ordered, when ordered, whether to execute righteous
relief efforts or failed foreign policy fiascoes.
An example of
this service commitment can be found in Navy Seals Glen Doherty and
Ty Woods who were killed when the American diplomatic mission in
Benghazi, Libya came under attack on September 11, 2012. Though
ordered to stand down and allow our ambassador and embassy personnel
in Benghazi to fend for themselves, these warriors decided to
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