Missing in action: The commander in chief
Missing in action, or to a lesser degree being unaccounted for, are profoundly disturbing situations in which military leaders are unable to account for their most precious asset and responsibility — their fighting men and women. The former is the most dreaded because you assume the worst — capture, death or incapacitation.
Sadly, now the term “missing in action” seems to fit the behavior and performance of the military’s commander in chief and our president. He has failed to acknowledge the severity of COVID-19 by taking meaningful steps to reduce death and infection rates. He has failed to protect the integrity of our electoral process from foreign adversaries. He has failed to denounce hate groups and emboldened them by his silence. He has failed to build longstanding alliances — to include global climate action. He has weakened our national security and the international world order.
And now, after nine months of minimizing the pandemic and flaunting proven protective measures, he and some of his closest advisers became sick with COVID-19. Most disturbing but not surprising is the president’s lack of transparency with regard to his health further undermining faith in government and stability of the economy and markets. The shock waves are beginning to be felt by our remaining friends and allies.
A critical leadership principle of military culture is “leadership by example.” Leaders establish a “command climate.” A good command climate extends the influence of the leader who sets high standards where integrity is paramount, courage is revered, service always precedes self, dignity is the basis in all interactions and extending a helping hand to a shipmate who has stumbled is the rule of the day.
A president who does not lead by example, who doesn’t create a positive command climate, who sows distrust, who mocks fellow Americans and who dismisses science in the face of a suffering nation is indeed “missing in action.” Rather than addressing the crises, he has consis
tently dodged responsibility and deflected blame.
The authors of this article, both lifelong independent voters, do not come to this assessment lightly. Backed by more than 70 years’ active duty service, through years of post-active duty civic engagement, and because of our love for our country, we can no longer remain silent or stand idly by as this frightening scenario continues to divide our nation and erode the principles established by our founders.
We are not alone. An August
Military Times poll shows a decline of support for the president by active duty service members. Only 37% polled reported they would vote to reelect in November. And this was before the president, through his own reckless behavior, caught COVID-19 and put in harm’s way those who would now care for him — Walter Reed’s medics, corpsmen, techs, custodians, nurses and docs — and many others.
The vote that propelled the president and his enablers into office nearly four years ago opened the door to chaos, division and distrust. That vote must be reversed. We must allow our country to heal — physically, mentally and emotionally — and then begin to build a better, more inclusive and more just society in which everyone has the opportunity to share in the economic marvel that is the United States of America. Only a real leader can guide us through this terrible health crisis, reverse a beleaguered economy and begin to repair the enormous harm that has been done to our society.
We must vote to preserve our Constitution and our democracy. There is no greater power in our democracy than the voice of “we the people” and no greater duty or obligation for each citizen than to vote.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael R. Lehnert served 37 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as the Commander of Marine Corps Installations West. Lt. Gen. (ret) Richard L. Kelly served 35 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as the Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics.