Wanted: A SecDef who can cut it

Next week, we the people will hire a new president. In January, the
president-elect will take command of a military force that’s on its
knees in the center of the world ring, bloodied and dispirited.

For the past eight years, our military has been under siege. Our $300
billion-a-year force that’s filled with fine, patriotic men and women
has been abused, ridden hard and put away wet. It has lost its direction
and desperately needs a game plan for 2001 and beyond. Its structure and
gear — Cold War obsolete — must be reorganized, modernized,
revitalized and otherwise made good-to-go to win 21st-century contests
ranging from terrorist hits to standing toe-to-toe with whatever new
superpower rumbles down the block.

But all this is old news, a message I’ve been hammering the readers
of this column over the head with for years. And most, regrettably,
haven’t gotten the word. Perhaps because it’s hard to get serious when
the market’s higher than the space station and they’re not your kids
being hung out there to die. Just like the generation — high on the
good times flowing after the Big War — that allowed Korea 1950, when
our forces were squashed and almost pushed into the sea.

Dubya — with Dick Cheney, Colin Powell and Norm Schwarzkopf
whispering in his ear — claims he’s gotten the message and promises to
turn things around.

Al Gore simply continues to chant the mantra that our military is the
“strongest in the world,” ready for all comers. Yet, despite how good he
says our forces are, he plans to out-spend Dubya to make things even
better!

Both contenders say they’ll send dump trucks filled with freshly
minted $1,000 bills to the Pentagon the minute they lift their hand from
the inauguration Bible.

But it’s not money that’s needed. It’s good-old-fashioned, hands-on,
follow-me, set-the-example, die-for-your-troops senior leadership with
the vision, integrity and moral courage to put America and its troops
first.

Leadership like Chesty Puller displayed in Korea 50 years ago when at
20 degrees below zero, he gave his only jacket to a young Marine without
one. Chesty himself almost froze to death, but every Marine in his
regiment heard what he’d done before the end of that bitter day — and
they soldiered on to survive an impossible fight against impossible odds
in impossible conditions.

You’ll find few Chesty Pullers in the senior ranks of today’s Army,
Navy or Air Force. From Republican Defense Secretary William Cohen to
the newest admiral and general, you’ll mostly find people grossly out of
touch with what’s going on down at the dying level but totally zeroed in
on what’s in it for them.

Yes, they’re for more defense dollars for their service. Yes, they’re
for more defense dollars for their future defense-industry employer. But
few are truly concerned about either our Joes and Jills or the smartest
way to defend this land.

New leadership is desperately needed. To turn things around, the new
president must take a wire brush to our military hierarchy. Self-serving
generals and admirals must be replaced with majors and commanders just
as George Marshall did in the 1940s.

Retired Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. Pat Brady says, “Readiness
is a leadership problem. True irresponsibility lies with those who deny
today’s hollow force and risk putting unready troops in harm’s way.”

Retired Navy Chief Kenneth Baker, angered by the attack on the USS
Cole, says, “To see our sailors placed in a high-threat terrorist
environment for the sake of showing the flag sickens me. The new SecDef
must do a clean sweep of the Pentagon. The Clinton virus has infected
the top brass.”

A senior Army sergeant in the Pentagon — who asked to remain
anonymous — said, “Greed controls the top ranks. The present crop of
generals sold their souls to get their stars. When they retire, they
work for the defense industry. Isn’t G.O. — General Officer —
retirement enough? Nope. They have to be millionaires. Joe don’t matter
anymore. It’s all about greed.”

The most important Cabinet post to be filled in 2001 is the secretary
of defense. For America’s sake, let’s hope we choose a new president
with the savvy to make the right pick.