When an American joins the military they expect to have to answer to a chain of command. It is how the military works. In the past the people at the top of the Pentagon had the most education and experience to direct operations for the country's national defense. Those at the top would never accept the issuance of illegal orders. As a matter of fact when the USA was deployed to the southern border of the USA and the country was stunned, General Mattis (click here) (Trump's first term) openly stated it was a legal order.
Senator Mark Kelley was a former commander and Captain in the USA Navy. This is some of his accomplishments:
During his Navy career, Kelly received:(click here):two Defense Superior Service Medals
one Legion of Merit
two Distinguished Flying Crosses
four Air Medals (two individual/two strike flight) with Combat "V"
two Navy Commendation Medals, (one with combat "V");
One Navy Achievement Medal
two Southwest Asia Service Medals
one Navy Expeditionary Medal
two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons
a NASA Distinguished Service Medal
an Overseas Service Ribbon
Honestly, the one place that lists all Senator Kelly's accomplishments is Wikipedia. When serving in the military, including NASA, he never blinked at the devotion he shared with his brother for the needs of this country. Never once. He was there for all of us and did the hard stuff. When he retired it was only right he entered a civilian life to pursue wherever his interests lead him. We were lucky to have him elected as a Senator and he has brought invaluable insight and dedication to this country yet again.
The assault of the Secretary of Defense in Trump's second term is oppression of the truth. Hegseth is attempting to punish Senator Kelly to bring him to heel to the demands of a disturbed president.
We are democracy.
We have laws.
We are proud of our military.
We depend on the women and men that line the halls of history in defending this country and our allies.
There is absolutely no way a civilian that was once a celebrated military officer should receive the type of treatment and disregard for his honest assessment of this country, it's national defense, and the legality of the commands to our military.
Secretary of Defense Hegseth has lead one of the most failed Defense Department in this country's history. The reasons are far to many to mention here. But, I am certain for those in the USA Senate that spoke out against illegal orders they know all to well how failed this defense department has been and lives lost unnecessarily.
I thank Harnish Law for the dedication to your members of the military and the willingness to share much needed insight and expertise with us.
