Vetting normal, not political

Re: “Don’t attack the integrity of National Guard members,” Jan. 24 commentary

While George Brauchler may have meant well citing his concerns for national guard vetting, I strongly disagree with his conviction that security planning was done as the result of political puritanism. His remarks were a very one-sided perspective on an extremely dangerous and difficult follow up to the Capitol violence of Jan. 6.

Every security practitioner knows it is a difficult, but necessary, requirement to assure that high-profile security assignments require proper vetting and credentialing of armed personnel assigned to monitor or defend high-risk targets.

The recent Capitol violence requires a stricter level of security going forward. It is justified and prudent to do serious background checking on the people assigned very sensitive and potentially dangerous work.

It is the responsibility of U.S. national security to make certain there are no national guardsmen who might have sympathies for the recent Capitol violence. Demeaning this process is an insult to good security planning and scrutiny. It also one-sided for Brauchler to chide President Biden, citing his concern that “silence is complicity” while ignoring our previous president’s role in stirring the pot of insurrection by encouraging the Capitol protesters to march to the Capitol.

David Kraus, Parker

George Brauchler is trying to drive a wedge between Republicans and Democrats. No one is trying to attack the integrity of the National Guard or any other branch of service. The guard is a cross-section of American society and is being carefully vetted to weed out potential problem personnel. I served 31 months, from 1958 to 196l, in the Cadet Wing Personnel department at the Air Force Academy. Offenses were committed that resulted in expulsion from the Academy. When the Academy started admitting women, there were dozens of sexual assault cases filed against senior cadets in one year. Many of these cadets were appointed by conservative Congressmen. No one blamed Republicans for these assaults. I had a Secret clearance and my two brothers had Top Secret clearances when we served in the Air Force. So, what is the big deal about vetting members of the National Guard?

Roy Legg, Highlands Ranch