West Point’s “Blue Max” is AWOL

Red Star, Green Star, Gold Star! I had all the stars aligned in a row after my name on the “Star Poster.” Oh, my row did not have the most stars. Not by a longshot. Claim belonged to another, though not rightfully, as several of his victories were ill-conceived – he cheated.   

An overzealous teacher concealed the truth in an attempt to publicly relish in the glory of her favorite pupil. Still, I remained focused on the Blue Star, the one star I did not have. Not yet.

Competition appears to be a useful tool for teachers to get students to excel, be their best. But I did not learn competition, strategy and tactics in the second grade. No, the instinct to “one up the other” as a form of survival was instinctual, instilled in me going back as far as I can remember.

In my earliest memories, I see myself and my world as front and center. Yes, I literally saw it as my world and everyone and everything simply existing in it for me to play and experiment. In time, others were positioned alongside me, colliding with “my world.”

In my new world, I became the eldest of several children. I no longer was “daddy’s little girl.” I soon learned father’s ideal world was a son. In due time, two brothers would come along. But until then, I took control of the helm of his world.

Symbols, a Matter of Strength and Honor

Representations of strength and honor comes in the form of medals, stripes, shields, weapons and nature’s kingdoms, lions, bears, birds, and so on. Naturally, the symbols that caught my eye were those with symbols representing the solar system.

Maps and world history books is where I learned of other worlds with their “Flag Posters.” In the West, one flag stood out with 50 white stars, more than that of my classmate. In the East, some favored moons and stars. Of them all, a single blue and white star stood alone immediately catching my attention.

Behold, I was drawn to yet another single blue star, shining brighter than those in the east or the 50 in the West. My one unattainable star, my medal of valor, it would be my next conquest, the Blue Max!

Jack D. Hunter’s novel, Blue Max, a medal obtained Pour le Mérite, inspired in me the challenge of obtaining what I saw as the “Blue Star.” In time, I realized this honor was not for me. My blue star deservedly belonged to a few men and women who fight for God or Country, or both.

U.S. soldiers speak of being “the few, the proud, the Marines.” I have had the honor and fortune to meet a few of these men. Their words are a testament to their numbers as fewer and fewer Marines can truthfully speak of such honors. In recent times, loyalty has superseded the tenets instilled in Marines. 

Tim Bakken, West Point Law Professor points to “The Cost of Loyalty: Dishonesty, Hubris, and Failure in the U.S. Military.” Bakken “argues that the U.S. Military is hurting itself and the country by elevating loyalty over all other values.” I find this troubling.

In any outfit a clear chain of command is required for carrying out successful operations. Soldiers following orders without question are mandatory. However, are these protocols done at the expense of values and what one holds sacred and just?

WWII, most would agree, was the last just war. Half a century later, an unquenchable thirst for blood arose. New missions required both arsenals and foot soldiers. Yet, in spite of campaigns for enlisting, turnout continues to be dismal. May explain push for the draft.  

Recruiting “Top Guns”

The film, Top Gun: Maverick,” has been postponed once again till December 23, 2020. No doubt, it would make a great propaganda film for promoting war but I also see its delay as a sign. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer may wish to revisit the idea of having the same actors play lead roles.

Mr. Bruckheimer, I may be biased but given the stage and screen performances of actors like Bradley Cooper, Gerard Butler, Mads Mikkelsen, and of course my favorite Tom Hardy, I’d reconsider your choices in future films.

Sir, although I enjoy hearing the sound of engines roaring and watching fighter planes speeding across the sky, I can assure you my eyes would be on Tom Hardy. Image of Tom as a fighter pilot launching and flying his jet shooting down the adversary is powerful.  Here’s your “Maverick” and “Top Gun!”

In my May 30, 2019 paper, “Mavericks: U.S. Drafting New ‘Top Guns’?” I note that “in 2017, Congress created NCMNPS to review the selective service system and whether women should be required to register as all 18-25 year old males are required to do so. They also are charged with suggesting ways to create a universal expectation of national military, national or public service.” I argued that unlike those who are forced to serve, the men and women who chose to serve their country have more than a fighting chance.

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates responded to the question of fewer youth wanting to enlist in the service posed by General James Mattis and former U.S. Secretary of Defense. Gates noted that serving ones country need not be necessarily through enlisting but working in the public sector at the local or state level.

Sir, Mr. Gates, do you not realize that opportunities in government agencies for qualified applicants are few, especially during this pandemic? Low enlistment numbers may explain why requirements have been lowered. United States Military Academy or West Point has reportedly lowered their recruitment admission standards as well.

Gentlemen, unqualified graduates and imposed conscription amounts to badly trained and unprepared soldiers diminishing trust and comradery between soldiers and their superior officers.

Clinton Gardner, U.S. Army Lieutenant and WWII Veteran recalled, “West Point professors looked more fondly to volunteers than draftees.” Garner’s observation is to be expected. A soldier needs to have an unquestionable “fighting spirit” in them to combat the enemy.

Tensions are already high. Imagine having to face the fact that your outfit is made up of those you trust to step up to the task and those needing to be pushed forward. Soldiers need to know the entire team has their back.

High expectations once attributed to the highly revered West Point have been waning. Bakken’s concerns include lower admission standards at West Point. Not only are those admitted less apt to learn specific tasks but they are not being trained for the new challenges on the ground.

West Point’s ethos did not tolerate “dishonesty and hubris.” The new curriculum appears to have changed that. In its place credence is given to a form of blind loyalty, an absolute resolute of not questioning authoritarian leadership, even when such headship goes against the country’s longstanding benchmark of ethics and morals.

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson clearly understands the importance of staying true to one’s ethos. Col. Wilkerson explains that the “warrior ethos” is destroyed “when you go out and kill people and you’re totally invulnerable.” He adds, “I think the drone business, the distance imposed amplifies this 100 fold.” Clearly the interlink between weaponry and technological advances in air space and cyberspace plays a role.

Online gaming utilizing “young pilots…recruited at video game fairs” has facilitated the CIA drone war attacks. For these young pilots, the idea of putting another “feather in their cap” appears to resonate with the motto behind Hunter’s lead character Stachel, who like my childhood classmate, did not rightfully and honorably earn all twenty victories for which he was awarded the Blue Max.  

Let’s not, however, overlook the teacher’s role or as the author notes in the story, General von Klugermann who applauded and encouraged Stachel utilizing his wins to create a triumphant image of the German Army Air Service in the eyes of the public.

*Star Struck*

Stars are strong symbols. Children wish on a star. Winners and Soldiers earn them. They’re more than merely pieces of colorful stickers or pieces of silver, bronze or gold. Brave men and women have fought and died for flags and medals that bear this symbol. 

As a child, I saw myself as a “Red Baron,” an ace in my “Radio Flyer” wagon or on my blue Schwinn bike racing across worlds. When an adversary struck, I stepped forward to defend my siblings.

My uncles had in earlier times noted, “If only you had been a boy. For as fine young men as are your brothers, you are truly your Father’s daughter.” Now, my uncles are Star Struck!

Father and I have fought many battles against different adversaries. Each of us, characteristically, wearing our own version of stars on our sleeves, alongside our scars and flaws.

I, as Father, have brazenly navigated multiple worlds infused with a “fighting spirit” shining bright inside us. Respecting myself and taking responsibility for my actions, I owe to my Father. Accepting no less of others, I learned from my Father.

Stars and metals of honor are but a reflection of what’s already inside us. In a calculative mode we decidedly go after what we want no matter the obstacles, rightfully and honorably earning our victories and our Blue Max! Father, Happy Father’s Day!