U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos
On July 15, 2014, speaking at the Brookings Institute think tank in Washington, DC, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, 4-star Gen. James Amos, openly and publicly criticized Commander-In-Chief Barack Hussein Obama.
Reporting for The Fiscal Times, David Francis observes that “It’s highly unusual for a high-ranking soldier, let alone a high-ranking Marine, to publicly question White House and Pentagon policy. Yet that’s exactly what four-star Gen. James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, did yesterday in Washington.”
Speaking at the Brookings Institute, Amos criticized the Obama administration for:
1. Paving the way for the emergence of the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) by completely withdrawing American troops in 2011. Amos said: “I have a hard time believing that had we been there, and worked with the government, and worked with parliament, and worked with the minister of defense, the minister of interior, I don’t think we’d be in the same shape we’re in today.”
2. Failing to live up to U.S. obligations around the world. Amos said: “We may think we’re done with all of these nasty, thorny, tacky little things that are going on around the world — and I’d argue that if you’re in that nation, it’s not a tacky, little thing for you. We may think we’re done with them, but they’re not done with us. We’re probably the only country in the world that has the resources and the capability to be able to do some of this that others can’t.”
3. Forfeiting gains made in Iraq and Afghanistan for which U.S. troops had fought and sacrificed. Referring to the fall of the Anbar province in Iraq, which Marines won in 2010 and in whhich 852 Marines were killed and naother 8,500 injured, Amos said “It breaks our hearts. They believed that they’d made a difference.”
Reporter David Francis opined that “Perhaps Amos felt free to voice opinions on White House policy because he is set to retire this fall. Now, his comments are likely to influence the debate within the defense community about how to handle the myriad of crises going on around the world.”
H/t CODA’s M.S.
See also:
- Former U.S. defense secretary: Obama incompetent; suspicious of military
- New rules of engagement hamstring U.S. troops in Afghan war
- Obama’s Pentagon lays off thousands of military officers, incl. active duty
- Former Air Force captain sounds alarm on crisis in U.S. military
- Obama admin removes all battle tanks from Europe
- Commander says U.S. military not prepared for coming cyber war
- Obama ignored advice of military & CIA against Bergdahl prisoner swap
- Obama at West Point: speech panned by media; 25% standing ovation
- Retired 4-star admiral: Benghazi was an Obama false flag that went wrong
- Foreign leaders openly scorn US President Obama
~StMA
displacedjim
George Griffin
wm2ggo
Consortium of Defense Analysts 
Reblogged this on Fellowship of the Minds and commented:
Retired U.S. military officers and a former secretary of defense have spoken out against Obama, but this is the first time that a still-serving officer is openly critical. And not just any officer, but the 4-star commandant of United States Marine Corps — a significant indicator of the profound alienation of the military from their commander-in-chief.
Thank you, Gen. Amos, for speaking the truth.
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Reblogged this on Centinel2012 and commented:
As a former army officer I know how unusual this is and could lead to his being asked to give up his commission! It will be interesting to see if he joins General Stanley McChrystal in retirement.
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He will be able to look himself in the mirror. History will reward him with Honor … compared to the IDIOT TRAITOR IN CHIEF.
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He will be fired or forced to retire or he may end up mysteriously dead. He has shown his loyalty to Country, Oath, and the Corps. He is a leader with backbone. I say good for him and he should be applauded. Maybe more will muster up courage to live up to their oath.
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General Amos will of course be asked to retire or will be fired. Our current POTUS has proven time and time again that he is a petty tyrant and is so insecure he cannot tolerate anyone who criticizes him, especially if that person is right! He still holds the personal belief that he is the messiah and that everyone loves him. Apparently he has told his chief of staff he does not want to see ANY negative reviews, negative polls, etc. He is obviously desiring to live in never never land, singing: “I don’t want to grow up, I don’t wanna go to school”…and like Hitler in the later part of WW2, he has become so out touch with reality that he chooses to live in a fairy tale. And denying reality does nothing to change it. The man desperately needs to be impeached so this great country can pick up the pieces and move on. My congrats to the General for having the scrotum to voice his opinion knowing full well Obama will have a major hissy fit and consequently get rid of him. I salute the General and admire his resolve and courage!
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Reblogged this on Dead Citizen's Rights Society.
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Reblogged this on Brittius and commented:
Semper Fi!
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Reblogged this on BLOGGING BAD w/Gunny G ~ "CLINGERS-AMERICA!".
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Reblogged this on Revolt of the Barbarians and commented:
This is a man who is putting his concern for his country and his fellow citizens ahead of his own life.
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Statements critical of the Commander in Chief by active duty general officers are very significant. Independent observers have reinforced the opinion of General Amos by highlighting the failures of the current administration’s foreign and security policies. As General Amos indicates, the policy decisions governing our activities in the Middle East and adjacent regions have all been signal failures that give every appearance of incompetence or malfeasance. Our inability to forge meaningful security ties in a world system in transparent need of such ties is yet another testimony to our administration’s inability to utilize our strengths and enhance our potential. With the “early retirement” of general officers in the armed services — there are changes (contrived or spontaneous) that could transform, to our detriment, the role of the military in our nation’s overall defense.
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We can still protect the oil fields so Red China can continue to buy all the crude oil from Iraq they need to run their manufacturing industries to supply all the junk the USA, Europe, and Japan buy from Red China. We don’t have to protect Bagdad to keep the oil flowing to Red China. I do think Red China should help pay for the defense of the oil fields in Iraq—the second largest, cheapest to drill for, oil reserve in the world. I can’t seem to find any direct benefit to the USA of using our tax payers money to the defense of any Iraqi city, including Bagdad. Red China, (a police state) is the only country benefitting from our past expenditure of money and lives in Iraq. Of course Halliburton investors did benefit enormously from our involvement in Iraq from the tax payers of the USA during our occupation until 2011. Maybe if we stay out of Iraq the Red Chinese will defend Bagdad and the oil fields. Or if the crazy religious fanatic rebels take the oil fields, the Red Chinese will be high and dry. Then we with our present glut of oil from our own land and Canada’s oil will supply our new manufacturing boom that will take place since our traitor corporations that have been outsourcing our manufacturing to Red China for 20 plus years now will be forced to start manufacturing in the USA again.
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I have been critical of Gen Amos since the incident in which 3 Marines urinated on dead taliban fighters. Gen Amos went after them and their superior officers. Many heads rolled. Compared to the atrocities committed by many foreign insurgents on our dead and wounded, this was a schoolyard prank. I admit that those Marines should not have recorded the event but who could blame them. Kind of a way of letting off a little steam by saying “You fought us, now you’re dead and we’re still here, now piss off.” And how is relieving their officers going to improve the situation. No, the only thing the “o” administration was doing was appeasing islam by strong arming Gen Amos into making compensatory changes. I hope the next CMC will be the kind of Marine past CMC’s would be proud of. My apologies to you Gen. Amos. I should have realized that you were doing what good you could from the inside. As for Gen Joseph ‘Fighting Joe’ Dunford Jr. next CMC, if everything I read about him in Semper Fi Magazine is accurate, The Corps can look forward to many good years under his watch provided the “o” administration doesn’t get too involved.
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As an old Korean War era Marine I can only say that I am pleased that our current Commandant has finally voiced what he should have a long time ago about this administrative trash in Washington and their “MANAGEMENT” of our military strategy as well as our economy. It’s late General but thanks for your remarks. I urge every veteran and all active duty personnel get out to vote and throw out this trash and return our country and military to those qualified, honest enough, and patriotic enough to handle it. When General Officers like Marine General James Mattis and many others are relieved of command and forced to retire for telling the truth to Congress and objecting to political correctness tactical battle management there is no room for doubt that our country is in the hands of incompetent fools. There is one (1) rule on the battlefield….WIN !!! The blood of our troops in Iraq and soon to be that of those in Afghanistan has been wasted by our COCs failures all over the world and his lack of support of our military and our Ally Israel is appalling. One look at South Korea and the success they have achieved as a result of US and UN efforts there would tell any reasonable person that maintaining a military presence post hostilities was responsible for their emerging success and prosperity. Returning 5 terrorists in exchange for a deserter and bragging about it on TV should tell us all we need to know about the “expertise & patriotism” of Obama. His immigration strategy, action re: our current border crisis and total lack of concern for the ridiculous imprisonment of our Marine Sergeant in Mexico is DISGUSTING !!!!! Impeachment is too good for him.
SSGT Jim Willig USMC
3rd Bn 7th Marines 1st MarDiv
Korea 1953-54-55
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Oorah!! Finally a military head speaking out instead of falling in step with obvious wrong decisions by our CIC. Hopefully, it will encourage others to follow. I respectfully salute you Sir Commandant!
SgtMaj Ray Krout USMC retired
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If I were the President I would fire this asshole……..
Thomas DiPrima USMC 1965 -1969
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Why? Unlike enlisted soldiers, US military officers are sworn to protect and defend the United States Constitution, not the human person occupying the White House:
I, _____, having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.” (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
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4 Star Ass Hole , if I had spoke out about him while I was on active duty they would have put me out Corps . It was not his place .
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What’s the fuss? I thought he was clear concise and correct. I guess that in this PC world his words would be considered gutsy. But, resigning because you think the Commander-in-Chief is just wrong and endangering the country, that takes real guts. By the way, don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen
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Thank you StMA for this important post. Nevertheless, the current king of our country doesn’t care what General Amos sets forth. And is Congress listening?
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Hello Sr. James Amos, it boiles down to this: Protect our land and our men & women fighting for our Home Country! Get the job done and bring them home safe including the heros that died doing the job! God love us all and we thank you for fighting in this war! Continue to protect us so we can live free and safe! Sincere, Thanks!
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Reblogged this on Catholic Glasses.
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Bottom line folks…the American people elect the President who is also commander in chief of the armed forces.
This is the way America has always been and whose military history and achievements are envied and set as an example by all other countries.
Right wrong or otherwise it is NOT the place or position of ranking officers who are sworn to loyalty to openly criticize their commander in chief !
By publicly opposing the President and chain of command policies they add to weakening confidence of subordinates and the American people !
Generals and admirals may be brave, bold, courageous and marvelous military leaders but it is the president and their cic who is elected NOT military officers and that rule of command and system is what made America great and powerful and NO ONE within the military establishment should take it upon themselves to backstab those who hold the elected reign of power !
Paul Martin
Navy commander retired
Foreign correspondent
Radio/tv commentator former British dj us
Writer-director
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I beg to differ, Commander Martin. You, as a Brit, may not know the critical difference between the oaths of allegiance sworn by an “ordinary” member of the U.S. military vs. an officer of the U.S. military.
Upon entering the service of the American military, everyone must take this oath:
“I, __________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God”
The oath of an OFFICER of the United States Armed Forces, is as follows:
“I, __________________, having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of Major do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.”
Notice that for an Officer, there is no “promise to obey the orders of the President”.
This oath is based on Title 5, §3331 of the United States Code. More can be seen here: http://www.history.army.mil/faq/oaths.htm
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When Obama went into office I lost a good job because the blacks went crazy and took over equal opportunities of us White Americans and I was Fired with No Justifed reasons! So I moved my family out of Alabama for the reason of the Blacks thinking the were better then us being Equals! So yes I blame the Government for putting Obama into Place and in that time he Sold our Rights and other beliefs that we have in trusted in our Country! So yes I do not like him and I do not have to like or dislike who is in office! I think the Commondant is right and I will stand behind him because he cares about all of us not just if our black, White, or American Indian; we are Equals and this is our land and we will be free if we all team up together as Equals! United we Stand and Divided we Fall! Remember? Quit Dividing us and Let us Stand together as Americans Not Blacks against Whites and Mexicans Against all of us! Together! We are Americans and this is our land and we need to fight to keep us Free! Thank you for listening to my Heart and Mind! Have a Nice Day and Peace be with all of you!
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Bottom line is that officers affirm or swear to defend the Constitution, not the president. If the situation is in extremis, he should speak out and accept the consequences for doing so. In this case, he is retiring, and apparently he thought his opportunity/forum to say what he thinks needed to be said was available to him, so he used it. He did what he needed to do in order to keep faith with the true measure of patriotism, which is to his country if doing so brings him into conflict with the desires of his chain-of-command.
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