Thread: I will be the contrarian here. Do we really want to go after the unit leaders who call their men and women warriors? We really want to control what terms of endearment leaders use to inspire their people? /1 https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/04/19/united-states-afghanistan-citizen-soldiers-warriors-forever-wars/

The reason for the civ-mil divide is because there are a bunch of service members running around eating food at a warrior chow hall? Enough is enough. Much of the civil military dialogue being led by @RisaBrooks12 and @jimgolby is incredibly valid, but this piece is not. /2

So let’s get real here. Us professionals understand that “war” is a means to a political end. I’m all for it. CvC has stolen my heart like no other. But don’t confuse this with being in the middle of a war / middle of a gun fight. /3

Because in that moment in time, the 18 year old with a rifle has only one end which is to stay alive and to bring one’s buddies home alive as well. This requires a physical, mental, and moral commitment. /4

It requires a certain mindset and inculcating this mindset behind being a “warrior” has been used over and over again by many leaders who understand the constitution, understand Clausewitz, and understand they work for civilians. /5

They also understand they work for that 18 year old with a rifle. The term “Warrior” can be whatever a leader wants it to be. If I am ever in a room full of a diverse military unit and they all jump out of their seats because a leader called them “warriors” - I’ll be proud /6

That’s a leader that is building cohesion and camaraderie into their unit. With all of the things and fad topics that are driving a wedge between service members I’m all for a term that service members find commonality in. This isn’t an enlightened piece. /7

In many ways it shows a huge lack of understanding for the men and women who will do the nation’s bidding on the forward edge. Give them a break. If calling them Warriors makes them fight together even a tad bit more than do it. Just don’t be a jackass. You’ll be fine. /8