By Allen B. Gates, Stevensville
I’m a moderate Republican and a former Captain, Artillery, US Army. I’m greatly concerned about the future of our democratic Republic. The Commander-in-Chief is unfit to serve!
While serving on active duty I served on several Courts Martial Boards. I know that if he had become a commissioned officer he would have been court-martialed under articles of the Universal Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). He would have been given a dishonorable discharge. The three charges would have been conduct unbecoming an officer, making false official statements, and dereliction of duty. Here’s why.
Donald J. Trump’s psychological and emotional characteristics render him unfit to be a military officer. He is an “off the scale narcissist.” He is filled with notions of grandiosity, without empathy for anyone, and practices extreme hypocrisy.
His notions of grandiosity drive a need to always “win.” He has an adulation itch that must be constantly scratched. He lusts for power and is a bully. In search of grandiosity, his fragile ego drives him to extreme behaviors. In his own mind, he must be perceived as above all others. As noted by various individuals, he is a legend in his own mind.
His lack of empathy drives a need to demean all others. He is amoral. The truth is not in him. He constantly spouts outrageous lies to build his own self-image. He brags about sexually assaulting women. He claims to be a Christian but doesn’t follow the Ten Commandments, nor the Golden Rule. In short, he is a man of low character. Character too low to be a military officer!
The US Army’s Leadership Standards: Excerpted from The US
Army Field Manual 6-22 Leadership Guidelines: (Note: Some minor editorial changes have been made for clarity). FM 6-22, Army Leadership: Competent, Confident, and Agile, provides the guidelines for Army leadership characteristics—attitudes, words and behaviors.
Competent leaders of character are necessary for the Army to meet the challenges in the dangerous and complex security environment we face. It is critical that Army leaders be agile, multi-skilled pentathletes who have strong moral character, broad knowledge, and keen intellect. Army leaders must set the example, teach, and mentor, and this manual provides the principles, concepts, and training to accomplish this important task on which America depends.
The BE-KNOW-DO concept expresses what is required of Army leaders. They must display the attributes and leader competencies bound by the concept of the Warrior Ethos. Leaders must be committed to lifelong learning to remain relevant and ready during a career of service to the Nation.
Army leadership begins with what the leader must BE— having (added) the values and attributes that shape character. BE is an enduring expression for Army leadership. It may be helpful to think of BE as internal and defining qualities possessed all the time. As defining qualities, they make up the identity of the leader. The values and attributes are the same for all leaders, regardless of position, although (they are) refined through experience and assumption of positions of greater responsibility. For example, a sergeant major with combat experience may have a deeper understanding of self-less service and personal courage than a new soldier.
The knowledge that leaders should use in leadership is what soldiers and Army civilians (should) KNOW. Leadership requires knowing about tactics, technical systems, organizations, management of resources, and the tendencies and needs of people. Knowledge shapes a leader’s identity and is reinforced by a leader’s actions.
While character and knowledge are necessary, by themselves they are not enough. Leaders cannot be effective until they apply what they know. What leaders DO, or leader actions, is directly related to the influence they have on others and what is done. As with knowledge, leaders will learn more about leadership as they serve in different positions.
The facts that trump beliefs are listed below:
1. He does not, and cannot, meet the standard of BE. He is a man of low character, possessing none of the values and attributes required of acceptable US Army officer leadership.
2. He does not meet the standard of KNOW. He is woefully ignorant and unread in military matters as he demonstrated multiple times during the campaign and as president. He’s been characterized as the most ignorant president ever elected.
3. He does not meet the standard of DO. His words and actions do not meet even minimal standards of civility in tone or content. He degrades others, including subordinates, legislators, and world leaders, routinely and viciously. Notwithstanding his sworn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, he attacks the judicial system, the Congress, the FBI, and the free press. He demands loyalty statements from subordinates. He openly admires strong men. He cozies up to Russians. He refuses to acknowledge clear Russian meddling in the 2016 election. He refuses to implement Congressionally mandated sanctions. He refuses to take a leadership role to protect against current and future meddling in elections. He abuses his power to take punitive action against those who criticize him.
I believe that in the long run, every organization takes on the characteristics of its leader. Current military leadership faces a difficult challenge to mentor, coach, and nurture military and civilian personnel to avoid taking on Donald J. Trump’s characteristics. Spare our democratic Republic if the military takes on his characteristics!