By Col. Ron Scott, PhD
USAF ret, USAFA ’73
STARRS President
Follow up to Open Letter to Flag Officer Classmates
In an exchange just this morning with a retired, combat-tested West Point 2-star who clearly understands the current domestic threat, I responded, “Bearing true faith and allegiance requires action. We do this through our “support and defense” of the Constitution. It’s not a spectator sport; and because it is a profession, malpractice is an internal threat that must be held accountable.”
This current ideological phenomenon reminds me of MacArthur’s “too late” observation. I searched the Internet for the date and context of MacArthur’s observation, and this is what I learned (Douglas MacArthur – Wikiquote):
“The history of failure in war can almost be summed up in two words: ‘Too late.’
Too late in comprehending the deadly purpose of a potential enemy; too late in realizing the mortal danger; too late in preparedness; too late in uniting all possible forces for resistance, too late in standing with one’s friends.
Victory in war results from no mysterious alchemy or wizardry but depends entirely upon the concentration of superior force at the critical points of combat.”
—Statement MacArthur made in 1940, as quoted by James B. Reston in Prelude to Victory (1942), p. 64
This excerpt is from Chapter IV, “The Illusion that This Is Entirely a War of Guns, Tanks, Planes, and Ships,” Prelude to Victory, Reston also argued:
“Do not let me overstate the case. The Administration has taken some ruthless and necessary action to close down industries which were using materials, tools, and machinery essential to the war production program. Officially, we have, indeed heard and heeded the anguished cries of dying men . . . for more planes, and tanks, and guns.
But that is only the first half of the lesson Hitler should have taught us. He also showed us that ideas, political ideas, were almost, if not equally, as important as tanks, and perhaps because we learned too well, or concentrated too much, on his first lesson about tanks and planes, we have not yet learned the importance of the second.” (p. 55)
I can only infer the apparent lament of MacArthur’s “too late” observation, especially after reading the historical account in this article: Why Did MacArthur Wait for Japan to Strike First? (historynet.com). While MacArthur may have been distracted in this portrayal, he certainly redeemed himself and firmly established his legacy with his 1962 “Duty, Honor, Country” speech. We are always vulnerable to distractions.
Yet, Reston’s caution about “ideas, political ideas” can be a double-edged sword. Certainly our political class should be razor focused on the nature of this threat, globally and domestically.
As Clausewitz tells us, “war is politics by other means.”
Why does our “warrior class” of retired 3- and 4-stars form a political coalition to focus only on the global threat? (See: National Security Advisory Council – USGLC)
There is arguably a far more dangerous domestic threat: Marxist ideology manifested as DEI and other assaults on American tradition. This development is very similar to the Gleichschaltung doctrine (ideology) that enabled the authoritarian Hitler regime.
Finally, Pete Hegseth has a new book to be released in June, The War on Warriors. When it achieves traction, many will ask those of us who served what we are doing about it.
Lt Gen Rod Bishop (’74), myself, and a growing cohort have been focused on this war since July 7, 2020. We’re inclusive and welcome others to join the effort. If, on the other hand, you have a different understanding of this ideological enemy, I welcome your thoughts/arguments/evidence.
Leave a Comment