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August 30, 2021
by Kyle Becker
U.S. retired generals and admirals are calling for the resignations of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, over the disastrous handling of America’s exit from Afghanistan.
Nearly 90 of the flag officers issued a scathing letter (
https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/fb7...08821-0002.pdf )on the Afghanistan exit, as well as the role Biden’s top brass played in the debacle. It is posted in full below.
“The retired Flag Officers signing this letter are calling for the resignation and retirement of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) based on negligence in performing their duties primarily involving events surrounding the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan,” the letter reads. “The hasty retreat has left initial estimates at ~15,000 Americans stranded in dangerous areas controlled by a brutal enemy along with ~25,000 Afghan citizens who supported American forces.”
“What should have happened upon learning of the Commander in Chief’s (President Biden’s) plan to quickly withdraw our forces and close the important power projection base Bagram, without adequate plans and forces in place to conduct the entire operation in an orderly fashion?” the letter continues.
“As principal military advisors to the CINC/President, the SECDEF and CJCS should have recommended against this dangerous withdrawal in the strongest possible terms,” the letter continued. “If they did not do everything within their authority to stop the hasty withdrawal, they should resign. Conversely, if they did do everything within their ability to persuade the CINC/President to not hastily exit the country without ensuring the safety of our citizens and Afghans loyal to America, then they should have resigned in protest as a matter of conscience and public statement.”
“The consequences of this disaster are enormous and will reverberate for decades beginning with the safety of Americans and Afghans who are unable to move safely to evacuation points; therefore, being de facto hostages of the Taliban at this time,” the letter continued. “The death and torture of Afghans has already begun and will result in a human tragedy of major proportions. The loss of billions of dollars in advanced military equipment and supplies falling into the hands of our enemies is catastrophic. The damage to the reputation of the United States is indescribable. We are now seen, and will be seen for many years, as an unreliable partner in any multinational agreement or operation. Trust in the United States is irreparably damaged.”
“Moreover, now our adversaries are emboldened to move against America due to the weakness displayed in Afghanistan,” the retired military leaders added..” China benefits the most followed by Russia, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea and others. Terrorists around the world are emboldened and able to pass freely into our country through our open border with Mexico.”
“Besides these military operational reasons for resignations, there are leadership, training, and morale reasons for resignations. In interviews, congressional testimony, and public statements it has become clear that top leaders in our military are placing mandatory emphasis on PC ‘wokeness’ related training which is extremely divisive and harmful to unit cohesion, readiness, and war fighting capability,” the retired military commanders went on.
“Our military exists to fight and win our Nation’s wars and that must be the sole focus of our top military leaders,” the letter added.
“For these reasons we call on the SECDEF Austin and the CJCS General Milley to resign,” the letter concluded. “A fundamental principle in the military is holding those in charge responsible and accountable for their actions or inactions. There must be accountability at all levels for this tragic and avoidable debacle.”
It was signed by 90 retired generals and admirals. The full list of signatories can be read here.
On June 23, General Mark Milley appeared before Congress and made the argument that Bagram Air Base could safely be abandoned.
The United States has declared that the War in Afghanistan is “over” and the “last plane” has left Kabul airport. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans are still stranded in the country, which has been overrun with ISIS terrorists, and is in the grip of the Islamist extremist Taliban.
President Biden has thus broken his commitment to get all Americans out before the Aug. 31 deadline or to remain there until that mission was accomplished. If “the bucks stops here,” as the Commander-in-Chief claimed, then perhaps the U.S. president should resign, as well.
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