In Pentagon debut, Biden promises break from Trump-era politicization of military

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

FEBRUARY 10, 20214:34 PMUPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

By Steve Holland, Phil Stewart

4 MIN READ


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden promised he would never politicize the U.S. military as he made his first visit to the Pentagon as commander-in-chief on Wednesday, seeking to draw a contrast with the Trump-era in a far-reaching speech that emphasized diversity in the armed forces.

Biden, whose late son, Beau, was a soldier who deployed to Iraq, bristled at former President Donald Trump’s approach to the military during the presidential campaign, including a report that Trump once privately called American soldiers killed during World War One “losers” and “suckers.”

Critics say Trump openly flouted norms of behavior in open pursuit of political support among U.S. troops, who are meant to be loyal to the U.S. Constitution - not any party or political movement.

“I will never ever dishonor you, I will never disrespect you, I will never politicize the work you do,” Biden said from the Pentagon briefing room.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-defense/in-pentagon-debut-biden-promises-break-from-trump-era-politicization-of-military-idUSKBN2AA2X2

[Bayard]

1. I will never ever dishonor you

That's all trump ever did.

Night and day.

[SeattleVet]

2. Great to hear someone say this.

I served under Nixon (had no great love for him), Ford (pretty much a nothingburger), Carter (had a great amount of respect for the man, always felt that he got handed a raw deal), and Reagan (the guy that dealt the crap to Carter). Left the Air Force under Reagan - there was no way in the world I was going to serve a minute longer under him, so I declined an assignment to Korea by refusing to extend my enlistment and separated.

Literally danced when Nixon and Reagan expired. Hated seeing them make such a big deal about Reagan's funeral, and hauling his rotting corpse back and forth across the country for veneration.

President Biden is an honorable man, and he knows how important the respect and honor from the chain of command is to service members...all the way to the Commander in Chief. I think that he will be a fine executive at the top of the chain.

[nitpicker]

3. I hope this also extends to military families who also serve

In my day, it was six homes, eight schools and ten teachers between second and fifth grade, nos. Then later Vietnam. Not everyone served just one tour.

BUT military brats today ((and I include Reservist ones)) have had one burden somewhat lifted (cross/inter-continental PCSing) and have endured another, the forever wars and re-repeated deployments.

And the left-behind parents/caregivers. ((edit: I meant they also have been burdened too, not necessarily that those are burdens on military brats.))