General Disgrace

H. R. McMaster (“The Corrosion of the Warrior Ethos,” November 15) contrasts the staunch values of a warrior with the fecklessness of America’s fractious culture and political leaders. While his points are valid, he carefully avoids addressing the responsibility of the generals who lead our military. Yet it is they who have in the past year embraced critical race theory and urged promotions influenced by racial and gender diversity. It is they who insisted upon doing too much in Afghanistan rather than pursuing a modest, long-term strategy. H.R. cites the essence of the ethos of the U.S. Army: “I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade.” In Afghanistan, however, Army general Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, did accept defeat; he did accept quitting; he did leave behind hundreds of American citizens and tens of thousands of Afghan visa applicants who were loyal to America. And he testified that he never thought of resigning.

In 2018, retired general Jim Mattis, faced with a similar dilemma on a much smaller scale, resigned as secretary of defense. Mattis did not resign as a protest signal; he resigned to remain true to his warrior ethos. In contrast, General Milley and all the other generals chose to remain in their high offices as we quit in a disgraceful, chaotic manner in Afghanistan. H.R. avoids calling out our military leaders who now embrace the fundamental tenets of the woke culture that he deplores. There will come a reckoning for the dispiriting example of our senior generals. H.R. does not mention it, but the warrior ethos he praises is inherent in only a few, not in the vast majority of our youths. As fewer of those inclined toward the warrior ethos choose to join a military because it does not promote that same ethos, we will become less capable of winning the next war.

Bing West

H. R. McMaster responds: I am glad that Bing West is continuing the discussion of this important topic. Senior military leaders do have a vital role in preserving America’s warrior ethos. The two sentences from the essay relevant to his comments are below:

Military and civilian leaders in the Department of Defense and those in Congress with oversight of the department must insulate the armed forces from all forms of bigotry and racism, including the principal elements of critical race theory.
The lack of a commitment to defeat enemies and achieve a favorable political outcome consistent with America’s security and vital interests is not limited to civilian leaders.