General Mattis on the American experiment and military ethics - By Tom Ricks | The Best Defense

General Mattis on the American experiment and military ethics - By Tom Ricks | The Best Defense

...if we are to keep this great big experiment called America alive-and that's all it is, an experiment-we need cocky, macho, unselfish, and morally very straight young men and women to lead our forces against the enemy.

...Okay, it's not a perfect world, but America is worth fighting for on its worst day. So, if you have got the guts to step across that line, as each of you have, then just go out and enjoy the brawl. Just have a damn good time. Train your men well. Go beat the crap out of people who deserve it, and when they throw down their gun, then you have won.

To many on the outside this may seem like a quote from an overly-testosterone laden man; one who is out of touch with polite society. In fact, those who may feel that way are the ones who are out of touch with reality. This Nation is worth fighting for, and it requires every generation to develop the next band of morally straight and resolute warriors who will do what it takes to employ brutish tactics in order to keep our national "experiment" alive for the next generation.

It only takes one generation to falter in this task before we no longer have a nation to defend.

For me, the key attribute described above is to be "morally very straight." Anyone can inflict pain and death on another. You read about it every day. It's the morally straight people in society who can measure death and destruction, meting it out only when necessary and at appropriate levels required to get the job done. Military leadership is not a task for morally decrepit individuals. It takes men and women with the understanding that bearing the power of military force is a sober and serious effort. It is a thoughtful and intellectual process, not driven by pure emotion, but by measured action.

When has the American Army had their worst moments? Think about My Lai or Abu Gharib. Examples of leaders with moral failings. They had the cocky and macho part down pat, but failed in displaying morality and unselfishness.

Pray for our military leaders, or all branches of service, that they may remain morally straight and able to resist the temptation to be anything but.