Trump to nominate fox news host as secretary of defense

[leetp]

It doesn’t matter if he bleeds red, white and blue. He is unfit for the job of SecDef. His military career, it appears, lasted about 13 years where he was a “one weekend a month” Army National Guardsman with three stints called up on active duty.

His roles while on active duty have not prepared him to be SecDef…GITMO, counterinsurgency instructor and something else.

He is a very bad choice.

There is plenty of legit criticism for this nomination, but no need to diminish the man's service.

He earned two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantry Badge.

About the Combat Infantry Badge:
The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is a prestigious award given by the United States Army to infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers who have actively engaged in ground combat while under hostile fire. To be eligible for the CIB, soldiers must:

1. Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.
2. Be assigned to an infantry unit during active ground combat.
3. Actively participate in such ground combat.

You can't just sit inside the wire and earn a CIB.

As for Bronze Stars, most of these are well earned; but unfortunately, I have seen firsthand where a few these were doled out largely unearned. I guess I need to read his citation to get more info, but given that he also got the CIB, I'm inclined to believe these two stars are legit.

 

[leetp]

That is my real concern. Flag officers and senior executives get fired or leave because they don’t like Trump’s policies and the SecDef nominees execution of those policies. Gut the leadership and you do put U.S. national security at risk.

Our Flag Officer Coprs leaves a lot to be desired...something I have been harping on long before Trump got into politics. Generally--no pun intended--I would like to see a solid Paton-esque general get the nomination, but I am not sure there is one.

 

[tigermg83]

But what are his actual qualifications for the job?

What was Pete Buttigieg qualifications for secretary of transportation?

 

[leetp]

What was Pete Buttigieg qualifications for secretary of transportation?

Elections at every level are popularity contests. Congress itself is a collection of some of the most grossly underqualified people in America. I'm sure you are familiar with the axiom: Those who can, do. Those who can't, get elected.

I guess one hopes they make up for this critical shortcoming by making quality appointments, but why start now?

 

[ANEW]

There is plenty of legit criticism for this nomination, but no need to diminish the man's service.

He earned two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantry Badge.

About the Combat Infantry Badge:
The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is a prestigious award given by the United States Army to infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers who have actively engaged in ground combat while under hostile fire. To be eligible for the CIB, soldiers must:

1. Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.
2. Be assigned to an infantry unit during active ground combat.
3. Actively participate in such ground combat.

You can just sit inside the wire and earn a CIB.

As for Bronze Stars, most of these are well earned; but unfortunately, I have seen firsthand where a few these were doled out largely unearned. I guess I need to read his citation to get more info, but given that he also got the CIB, I'm inclined to believe these two stars are legit.

CIB is awared to those holding Infantry (11 series) and Special Forces (18 series) Military Occupational Specialties.. Within Special Forces that alo includes medics because they hold and 18 series MOS and are classified as combatants. Since the GWOT, the Army created the CAB (Combat Action Badge) for non-Infantry , non-SF personnel. The definition of "Active Participation" has changed since the CIB was first awarded during WWII which is expected because the nature of conflicts haved changed. Policies for issuance are defined on a conflict by conflict basis within that general framework.

The Bronze Star medal is awarded for Valor OR Meritorious Achievement within a designated combat zone or for actions involving conflict with an opposiing force not involving aerial flight. The corresponding award for meritorious achievement or service NOT in a combat zone is the Meriorious Service Medal (MSM). Bronze stars awarded for Valor are signified with a small "V" device pinned to the ribbon for each time awarded for valor (up to 4 ithink, and then you go to a gold "V' to signify the 5th award for valor). So the bronze star can be for heroic actions or it could be a "you did a really good job doing your thing" (whatever that thing may be) in a combat zone.

 

[dbjork6317]

What was Pete Buttigieg qualifications for secretary of transportation?

That’s a fair question and critique of the Biden administration. There were other positions he was probably more qualified for given his military background. But had experience as an elected official and working within a bureaucracy and had a clear working knowledge of governmental processes.

I’d also argue that sec of transportation has far less global impact than sec of defense and therefore has a lower threshold for qualification.

Now. What are Hegseth’s qualifications to lead the most powerful military in the history of the known universe?

 

[TheValley91]

That’s a fair question and critique of the Biden administration. There were other positions he was probably more qualified for given his military background. But had experience as an elected official and working within a bureaucracy and had a clear working knowledge of governmental processes.

I’d also argue that sec of transportation has far less global impact than sec of defense and therefore has a lower threshold for qualification.

Now. What are Hegseth’s qualifications to lead the most powerful military in the history of the known universe?

Get out of here with these reasonable thoughts and questions!

 

[leetp]

CIB is awared to those holding Infantry (11 series) and Special Forces (18 series) Military Occupational Specialties.. Within Special Forces that alo includes medics because they hold and 18 series MOS and are classified as combatants. Since the GWOT, the Army created the CAB (Combat Action Badge) for non-Infantry , non-SF personnel. The definition of "Active Participation" has changed since the CIB was first awarded during WWII which is expected because the nature of conflicts haved changed. Policies for issuance are defined on a conflict by conflict basis within that general framework.

The Bronze Star medal is awarded for Valor OR Meritorious Achievement within a designated combat zone or for actions involving conflict with an opposiing force not involving aerial flight. The corresponding award for meritorious achievement or service NOT in a combat zone is the Meriorious Service Medal (MSM). Bronze stars awarded for Valor are signified with a small "V" device pinned to the ribbon for each time awarded for valor (up to 4 ithink, and then you go to a gold "V' to signify the 5th award for valor). So the bronze star can be for heroic actions or it could be a "you did a really good job doing your thing" (whatever that thing may be) in a combat zone.

My post above should have read "you CAN'T just sit inside the wire and earn a CIB".... I left the apostrophe-t off the end of 'can'--which totally changes the meaning of what I meant to say.

WRT to the Bronze Star...I suppose that is what I was getting at. You offered a much more complete explanation. That can be a really impressive award, or just a solid "you did a good job in war zone" award.

 

[ANEW]

My post above should have read "you CAN'T just sit inside the wire and earn a CIB".... I left the apostrophe-t off the end of 'can'--which totally changes the meaning of what I meant to say.

WRT to the Bronze Star...I suppose that is what I was getting at. You offered a number more complete explanation. That can be a really impressive award, or just a solid "you did a good job in war zone" award.

NO you can't for the CIB for sure. Bronze Star, yes you can. The Army changed the letter of the regulations sometime during the GWOT that allowed MSMs to be given out in a combat zone just like Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM) which could be awarded for service or with a V device for acts fo heroism . Allowing MSM in a combat zone was done because of the large number of people rotating in and out fo the combat zones and getting Bronze Stars for meritorious service oftentime with little personal risk. Then still later the Army Authorized a "C" device to denote that the award of the MSM or the ARCOM was for service in a combat zone as opposed to Fort Wherever, USA. So insummary... .ARCOMs or MSMs with "C" for service in a combat zone (not sure if the "c" device was retroactive). Bronze Stars can also be for service in combat zone. ARCOM w/ "V" and Bronze Star Medal (BSM) w/ "V" for valor. (AR-600-8-22 is the regulation if anyone really cares that much).

 

[TigerGrowls]

It doesn’t matter if he bleeds red, white and blue. He is unfit for the job of SecDef. His military career, it appears, lasted about 13 years where he was a “one weekend a month” Army National Guardsman with three stints called up on active duty.

His roles while on active duty have not prepared him to be SecDef…GITMO, counterinsurgency instructor and something else.

He is a very bad choice.

Your opinion which is fine. I'm all in with Pete.

 

[TigerGrowls]

That is my real concern. Flag officers and senior executives get fired or leave because they don’t like Trump’s policies and the SecDef nominees execution of those policies. Gut the leadership and you do put U.S. national security at risk.

You are describing what Obama actually did. Trump needs to get rid of the faction of losers that Obama wedged into military leadership and replace them with the right personnel.

 

[TigerGrowls]

Obama's Military Coup Purges 197 Officers In Five Years

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/197-military-officers-purged-by-obama/&ved=2ahUKEwj30d_Z_NyJAxVIRzABHcNQJ8gQFnoECBkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3dW_ngBokn61_73YLG32cH