Secretary Rumsfeld, Here's the Army We Made!

This is PFC Steven D. Green, who was honorably discharged after March 2006 after serving a total of eleven months. His medical condition was diagnosed as a personality disorder, "so severe that the soldier's ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired." A "recruiting success?" I think not.

Operation Yellow Elephant started c. April/May 2005 after Jesus' General and I both noticed an anomaly: Crowds of healthy, heterosexual-appearing military-age men at pro-war rallies, and on conservative blogs, while real military recruiters were having trouble meeting their quotas.

The General focused on the College Republicans and created Operation Yellow Elephant. I focused on the Young Republicans and donated a booth at their July 2005 convention in Las Vegas to all military recruiters.

Now we're seeing the results of the College and Young Republicans' so-called 'patriotism.' When national leadership inspires real Americans to consider military service, even if they plan other careers later in life, military recruiters can select those most likely to succeed in our military. Since the end of 2004, that's no longer the case.

Although Operation Yellow Elephant thanks PFC Green for stepping forward, it's quite clear that he should never have been accepted for enlistment, given a weapon and sent to Iraq. [If we could turn back the clock, we certainly would.] We apologize to the Iraqi family and community affected by this tragedy. We expect that military commanders will conduct a full and impartial investigation and hold accountable those responsible, noting also that Mr. Green is presumed innocent.

If the national leadership establishment of our governing party really understands its responsibilities, they will urge their own eligible relatives and friends, their circles of influence, to Support Our Troops and President Bush and Be A Man! Enlist! If our country is to remain in Iraq, it is essential that all well-qualified Americans show that they are worthy of leadership.

So what does the headline have to do with the picture? At a December 8, 2004 Town Meeting in Kuwait, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld responded to Specialist Thomas Wilson of the Tennessee Army National Guard, "As you know, you go to war with the Army you have. They’re not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time."

Well, Mr. Secretary, over time, this is the Army we've made.

Hat tip to Steve Gilliard.