I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican, but an American who has fought in the forces that guard our country and our way of life, in the words of our military's Code of Conduct. I fought in Iraq, earned two Bronze Stars and taught military strategy at West Point. My commitment to military values and nonpartisanship hasn't changed since I rejoined civilian life. What's changed is the choice presented in American politics. There really isn't one, because one of the two major-party presidential candidates is clearly, demonstrably, irredeemably unfit to serve as commander in chief.

Only one candidate has suggested the execution of a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Only one candidate has called our war dead - specifically, the Marines who fell at Belleau Wood in France during World War I - "suckers" and "losers."

Only one candidate has suggested putting NASCAR drivers and college coaches in critical national security positions now held by lifelong military professionals who serve as generals and admirals.

But what settles the question altogether is the certainty that former President Trump would end the military's bedrock contract with the American people: nonpartisanship. He tried last time and came dangerously close.

"It is easy to destroy an organization," wrote retired Adm. William McRaven, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, "if you have no appreciation for what makes that organization great." McRaven penned those words five years ago, during the former president's first term in office, and ended by suggesting that if nothing were to change, someone else must serve as commander in chief.

Nothing about Trump has changed. There is only one choice on Nov. 5.

ML Cavanaugh recently retired after 25 years in the U.S. Army. He co-founded the Modern War Institute at West Point.

#2

It would be impactful to see what you posit above, but I'm doubtful that it will ever happen due to the fact these men are more likely Republicans and still don't want to blur the lines between their loyal duty as officers by criticizing Trump's unfitness for command - which can be seen as subordinate by those unfamiliar with each's previous interactions with Trump while he was in the Oval Office.

However, since this Lt. Col. decided to go public in this op-ed, perhaps he would be okay repeating this message at the upcoming DNC, while keeping his career-long non-partisan street cred intact.