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Marine Commandant Amos Wants Foist DADT Repeal Implementation Off On Small Unit Leaders
02/11/11-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
Marine Commandant General James F. Amos may want to keep in mind that the LGBT press have not stopped keeping an eye on the progression of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and that any funny business will be met with harsh criticism. That includes the decision by General Amos to say one thing in Hawaii while indicating something entirely different in Washington DC.
General Amos stated in Hawaii that he intends to force the platoon sergeants and company first sergeants to figure out the best way to handle any conflicts rather than creating any kind of policy to deal with the issue. He stated “If there’s an issue in a room, then I expect you to solve it. I’m not going to tell you how to solve it. I’m not going to build twice as many barracks, I’m not going to segregate people out. … We’re not going to do that.” He also stated “I’m not going to make any policies or orders regarding the matter. I’m going to leave it up to small unit leadership because they know what’s best for their Marines.”
This is hardly the strong leadership that General Amos is suppose to be showing, and it was almost immediately slammed by OutServe’s co-director JD Smith, who stated “You can say I am concerned regarding comments and training that seem to proactively suggest that segregation of troops may be necessary to keep good order and discipline.”
In a video posted for the Marines, Amos recently stated “I want to be clear to all Marines, we will step out smartly to faithfully implement this new law.” Which appears to include the shirking of duty and the ignoring of implementation in hopes that it will go away.
General Amos was addressing the Marines at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii. This included a discussion about the potential decrease in the size of the Marines following the conflict in Afghanistan. He believes the Corps could go from 202,000 to 186,800. This would probably be a great time for all the homophobes to exit stage left. The decrease in the force is intended to bring the Marines off a wartime footing, and to help save money.
The Commandant was joined by Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton W. Kent. He spoke to some 2,000 members of the 2rd Marine Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment at Dewey Square.
Amos was the most outspoken of the service chiefs when it came to the repeal of DADT. Unfortunately, the decision to drag his heels and foist off the responsibility of implementation is disturbing. By handing the responsibility of implementing the repeal process largely over the sergeants, Amos risks creating the very chaos in the ranks that he once warned against, creating the potential for a self-fulfilling prophecy.
8 Responses to Marine Commandant Amos Wants Foist DADT Repeal Implementation Off On Small Unit Leaders
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Major Joe Plenzler, USMC
February 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Also, the Commandant’s message to his Marines may be viewed at http://www.marines.mil/cmc as well as his statement on the repeal of DADT.
Major Joe Plenzler, USMC
February 14, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Bridgette, perhaps it is in the wording. We did a thorough review of our existing policies on the way our Marines treat each other, and found that they are flexible and inclusive enough to cover ALL Marines of all backgrounds. It seems that that message was lost for those that are reporting on what was said second-hand. The bottom line is that professionalism and leadership at the small unit level are the ways we ensure all Marines are treated with dignity and respect.
Bridgette P. LaVictoire
February 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Major Plenzler,
I saw the video. It is posted on LGR, in fact. LGR also works off of a variety of primary and secondary sourcing, so I would not be quite so quick dismiss our reporting as ‘second-hand’. What we are saying is that General Amos sounds like he is saying one thing in Washington and another thing in Hawaii. Perhaps he needs to be more careful with what he says since it seems that he has problems conveying the same message in two different places.
Major Joe Plenzler, USMC
February 14, 2011 at 8:56 am
Ms. LaVictoire, your op-ed above indicates a misunderstanding in how the Marine Corps works. Our leaders issue orders and set expectations (which Gen Amos did with his recent video message to the Marines on DADT repeal); and then our small unit leaders carry out the commander’s mission and intent. The strength of the Marine Corps lies in our small-unit leadership – where the rubber meets the road. Gen. Amos’ comments to his Marines are not, as you have described, and abdication, rather they set the expectation that all Marines get in step with the Commandant’s intent. Mr. Smith is mistaken in his comments as well – as can clearly be seen in Gen Amos’ quote, “I’m not going to segregate people out….” Gen Amos has done what he has said in his testimony and stepped out smartly on implementation. Gen Amos is committed to ensuring that all Marines are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. I know it is difficult for some to understand, but we Marines are disciplined, and carry out the orders of our civilian leadership. I would hope that Gen Amos’ critics would have the decency to recognize his proactive actions in ensuring successful implementation of the new law and support his efforts in this regard.
Bridgette P. LaVictoire
February 14, 2011 at 9:57 am
Major Plenzler,
While I appreciate your comment, my problem is this statement right here “I’m not going to make any policies or orders regarding the matter.” With that statement, General Amos stepped back and said ‘this is not my problem’. I do agree that there needs to be leeway in order to deal with individual cases, but the decision to go that hands off is troubling.
Major, I am not stupid when it comes to the military. I know quite well that people who have to deal with the issues at hand are always the small unit commanders, but I also know that they have to have firm guidance from above, and in saying that he will not make any policies or orders with regards to the issues that could come up, General Amos risks creating chaos in the ranks. In other words, General Amos has not set expectations and refuses to issue orders about these problems.
Either that, or he worded his comment poorly, which is always a possibility.
S
February 12, 2011 at 2:08 pm
The small unit level is indeed where this will be handled. And it’s also the only place where “unit cohesion” matters.
It’s just that there should be safeguards and policies in place to handle problems when that arise when dealing with homophobic commanders and superiors. As it stands, there aren’t really many.
Dakotahgeo
February 12, 2011 at 5:59 am
This sounds like true Marine Corps double talk. Get the transition done with a MINIMUM of problems. If the USMC soldier cannot abide by the new law, exit immediately and save us money besides. This is a good deal all around!
Richard Laburnum
February 11, 2011 at 5:28 pm
I do not see the concern in GEN Amos’ statements nor understand JD Smith’s response. There is not a unit commander or senior NCO in any of the services that wants his hands tied by the Beltway in resolving issues or problems at the small unit level. GEN Amos is not contradicting himself in his statements, he is addressing the issue as it should be addressed in the military environment. If there is a conflict between two roommates for any reason, it should be up to the unit’s immediate chain of command to resolve. If local commanders implement a segregation policy on their own accord, then let’s address that but what Amos said makes perfect sense. Give the military a chance to do the right thing.