Veterans are keenly aware of, and deeply respect, the need for discipline in the Armed Forces.

Thousands of GI's, however, have complained of excessive punishment during their careers.

Because young GI's do impulsive things, they often get into trouble.  Actor Steve McQueen was demoted 7 times as a Marine, and got jailed for 6 weeks after a lengthy AWOL.  Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger went AWOL in the Army, and got jailed for a week in the stockade.  Comedian George Carlin went AWOL so often that he was court-martialed and kicked out of the Air Force.

In many cases, a GI is given a second chance after "messing up."  However, many GI's have complained about the heavy hand of the Military Justice System -- when they do mess up.

The U.S. Navy, for example, brutally kicked out thousands of sailors for minor infractions -- which it later publicly admitted in The Washington Times - National Weekly Edition.

America's military, quick to dismiss first-time offenders, is unique within NATO for giving "bad paper" to GI's for:  (1) a single failed urine test, (2) minor misconduct, and (3) off-duty adultery.

America has NATO's highest percentage of GI's who are:  (1) denied clemency, (2) given "bad paper," (3) tragic victims of suicide, or (4) tragic victims of homelessness.

Col. David Hackworth, a WWII hero who wrote a syndicated column, often attacked "zero tolerance" policies which are cruel to U.S. soldiers and cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.

Harsh fact:  Blacks in the Armed Forces often suffer disproportionate punishments.

Harsh fact:  Many Black Veterans were cruelly denied their GI Bill Benefits.  In the Deep South, racist Members of Congress tainted The GI Bill -- to give "racist priority" to States' Rights.

Harsh fact:  The Pentagon lacks long-term policies to help struggling -- or briefly wayward -- soldiers.  The Navy has admitted to cruelly kicking out thousands of new (but struggling) sailors, who might instead have been adeptly rehabilitated -- to guarantee their retention.

The Navy soon faced a massive sailor shortage, after its shortsighted "kick 'em out" policy.

Indeed, hit with a self-inflicted shortage of 12,000 sailors -- the Navy (out of strict necessity) belatedly reversed its policy.  It shifted its focus:  to rehabilitate and retain marginal GI's.  The new policy worked.  Thousands of marginal sailors were rehabilitated, instead of getting "bad paper."  Performances improved and the "newbies" finished their terms of enlistment.

Congress, with a low approval rating of 19%, has failed -- in the eyes of many voters and nonprofits -- to properly regulate the millionaire CEO's of Big Defense Firms.

Many Americans remember The Truman Committee -- which saved billions of dollars and thousands of lives -- under the stewardship of Senator Harry S. Truman (D-MO).

​The poor performance and cost overruns of many systems have outraged taxpayers: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, C-5 Galaxy and other weapons.

The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) has attacked the bloated salaries of defense firm CEO's, lack of promised jobs, poor performance of weapon systems, and culture of indifference among today's (mostly non-veteran) Congress Critters.

Billions of dollars over-budget and 7 years behind schedule, the wasteful and mismanaged F-35 program has been hit with heavy criticism from dozens of experts.

The many documented failures of the Patriot Missile Defense System to intercept low-tech Scud missiles have outraged taxpayers.  Many Patriot Missiles veered off course, completely missed enemy targets, had software glitches, or exploded in mid-air.

The poor performance of the Patriot Missile Defense System has provoked the Pentagon to purchase Israel's war-tested (and superior) Iron Dome System.

For millions of Americans, the military has been a rewarding and positive career.

Patriotic veterans are shocked that America no longer has compulsory military service. They scorn the dangerously-low percentage of veterans (a mere 7%) among our citizens in 2022.

Patriots value the discipline and technical skills gained by veterans in the U.S. military.

From 1940 to 1973, America's successful conscription program manned the Armed Forces.

In a far more patriotic era, the 1940-73 draft filled the military's ranks by men willing to serve the nation for 2 years.  Moreover, in that era, America was a far greater Industrial Power.  The military was far larger during that period, with a Navy and Air Force twice their current size.

Military service was a "rite of passage to manhood" for millions of American youths.  In the 1940-73 draft, new conscripts learned lifelong skills -- including discipline and maturity -- to successfully begin their careers. Many learned high-tech skills, as well, to launch their careers.

Steve McQueen, the late actor, is a great example of rehabilitating a wayward GI.  Seven  times, was demoted.  Twice, he was busted for "drunk on duty."  Despite his many offenses, he was not dishonorably discharged.  Returned to duty after spending 6 weeks in a Marine Corps brig, he later "shaped up" and -- in the long term -- received an Honorable Discharge.

Too often, however, the military continues to harshly punish GI's for minor misconduct.

To a youngster who has recently finished school, a bad military discharge is a harsh blow.

Many critically-needed soldiers were ruthlessly kicked out for a single failed urine test.

Many highly-distinguished soldiers -- including doctors and paramedics -- were kicked out for adultery.  For most GI's, their off-duty social lives do not adversely affect their performance -- or their unit's readiness level.  Unbelievably -- for many years -- a toll-free number was set up within the military to report any soldiers who were having extramarital affairs.

Col. David Hackworth, a war hero, frequently criticized the "Perfumed Prince" mentality of the top brass.  "A soldier is meant to serve and fight," he said, and not to be a "perfect priest."  Many highly-rated soldiers, he complained, were given "bad paper" because they missed a credit card payment, got caught speeding on base, or made other minor mistakes.

On a positive note, recently there have been limited reforms to the Military Justice System.

UCMJ reforms in 2019 reduced career dangers for legally-separated but "adulterous" soldiers.

UCMJ reforms in 2011 reduced career dangers for gay soldiers.

From World War II to 2011, more than 100,000 gay soldiers were kicked out -- often with a career-hindering "other than honorable" discharge.  New laws are enabling many to upgrade their discharges, in the wake of President Obama's repeal of  "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"  in 2011.

From 1993 to 2008, 12,000 gay soldiers were kicked out despite good performance records.

As impoverished youths, many (later-famous) GI's were harshly punished by the military:

1.  George Carlin (comedian) received a Dishonorable Discharge from the U.S. Air Force,
2.  Edgar Allan Poe (author) received a Dishonorable Discharge from the U.S. Army,
3.  Richard Pryor (comedian) received a Dishonorable Discharge from the U.S. Army,
4.  Jimmy Hendrix (singer) and other celebrities were busted in the Armed Forces.

Thousands of GI's -- who got hit with "bad paper" -- would gladly commit to a 1- or 2-year national service, or even rejoin the military, in order to upgrade their character of service.

Thousands would commit to fighting forest fires, or to serve in needed public-sector jobs.

America, however, is a nation where Congress is "run" by six-figure attorneys who have completely dodged any military service.  They serve Wall Street, and not poor workers.

Americans spend millions of hours watching fantasy shows about primitive and violent dinosaurs (dead now for 65 million years), but they "can't spare any time for veterans."

The NY Times has demanded clemency for thousands of veterans saddled with "bad" paper,

Immorally, America's TV/Film culture blatantly ignores  important veterans' issues.

The media, looking for the "next profit" from a fantasy TV show, prefer to dwell upon increasingly ridiculous "entertainment" -- fantasy shows, weird "celebrities," ignorant "reality shows," free-agent athletes, and "media elites" who have never served in the Armed Forces.

Millions of workers are demanding a far more evolved media, to fight for veterans.

​Because 83% of all Congress Critters are not veterans, pressing GI issues are often ignored.

A  STRONGER  AMERICA:   AUDITING  THE  MILITARY

VETERANS  IN  2023:  AN  UPHILL  BATTLE  FOR  JUSTICE

A   GREAT   IDEA:   A   "NEW   TRUMAN   COMMITTEE"

V-22 OSPREY CRASHES:  NEARLY 50 GI'S ARE KILLED

In 2023, voters are demanding a modern-day version of the popular Truman Committee.

During World War II, the popular Truman Committee investigated and prosecuted fraudulent defense contractors.  Saving thousands of lives -- and billions of dollars -- the truth-seeking Truman Committee indicted criminal CEO's who failed to deliver on critical DoD contracts.

Senator Truman would be shocked at today's ripoffs (i.e., ships and planes that don't work).

On one surprise inspection, Senator Truman visited a firm (which had received millions of taxpayer dollars) and discovered that NO equipment had EVER been produced for the U.S. military!  Moreover, the "headquarters" of that "company" was a tent in an open field!

Guilty of massive fraud, the deceitful CEO was quickly indicted by the Truman Committee.

In the Anaconda Wire Fraud Case, Truman discovered that $6 million worth of critical, Pentagon-purchased wires and cables were hopelessly defective -- and endangered troops.

In the Curtiss-Wright Fraud Case, Truman discovered that millions of dollars were spent on poorly-built and defective aircraft parts and engines -- which endangered pilots and crews.

Senator Truman got results!  He didn't sit around all day (like many of today's so-called Beltway "leaders"), looking forward to his next lobbyist-bought steak dinner and wine!

A staunch supporter of President Roosevelt and the war effort, Senator Truman said the Government's job was to "aggressively investigate and regulate defense contractors."

In 2019, Rep. Lynch (D-MA) introduced a weak bill to resurrect The Commission on Wartime Contracting (CWC) -- which had operated from 2008-2011. Unlike the Truman Committee, the CWC was a weak effort which indicted no company (despite massive fraud).  Its wimpy final report conceded: "Poor management and oversight of contracts has led to massive waste."

The Project on Government Oversight strongly criticized the weak CWC for its lack of any Truman-style results, while endorsing the wimpy CWC -- if only for its "symbolic importance."

Taxpayers For Common Sense has complained:  "The Pentagon runs on too many redundant and out-of-date accounting systems -- which obscure how taxpayers’ dollars are spent."

Common Dreams has attacked the waste, fraud and errors of the blank-check Pentagon.

American consumers are smart!  They return defective products!  They demand refunds!

With the lives of poor troops on the line -- and with billions of taxpayer dollars on the line (lavished upon millionaire CEO's and poorly-audited firms) -- voters are demanding results.

Voters are demanding tough new scrutiny to investigate troop-endangering defects:

1.  Major problems with the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship

2.  Major problems with the Patriot Missile Defense System

3.  Major problems with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

4.  Major problems with the UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter

5.  Major problems with the malware-infected computers bought by the Pentagon..

An eye-opening film, based on a true story, is "Pentagon Wars" starring Kelsey Grammer.

Poorly designed and poorly tested -- yet rushed into production to give Bell-Textron billions of Beltway dollars -- the fault-ridden V-22 Osprey has killed nearly 50 troops in peacetime.  The CEO who "oversees" the unpopular and fault-ridden V-22 Program, Scott Donnelly, demands the Pentagon pay him $18 million per year.

Many poor Americans received grossly excessive punishments as young GI's -- including Civil War historian Shelby Foote (left) and Michigan Governor Bill Milliken (right).  Shelby Foote was court-martialed as a young officer on trumped-up charges of "excessive use of a government vehicle."  He was dismissed from the Army.  Bill Milliken was brutally demoted from SSG to private for "not keeping a tidy quarters" in his WWII tent.  Having barely survived 45 combat missions against the Nazis in Europe, SSG Milliken considered the demotion as "wholly unjust."

REFORM USA

THE  PENTAGON'S  TOXIC  LEADERSHIP  IN  2023

For millions of Americans, the military has been a positive and rewarding career.  However, thousands of veterans have criticized the Military Justice System for its lack of clemency, harsh "zero tolerance" policies and hefty punishments for minor offenses.  In spite of their heroism, many Black Veterans in the South were denied the Federal Benefits of The G.I. Bill.​

AMERICA'S     POSITIVE     RESULTS     OF     CLEMENCY

THE   MILITARY'S   ARCHAIC   "SYSTEM   OF   JUSTICE"

​The U.S. Military has a long and proud tradition of successfully defending the nation.

However, in 2023 only  7% of Americans are veterans -- which is the lowest figure since WWII.  Concerned patriots are calling for more citizens to serve in uniform -- if only for one hitch -- to maintain America's long-term discipline and long-term military strength. Generals Washington, Pershing and Eisenhower all agreed:  "We need more GI's on duty."

Poor policies have caused recruitment problems and ultra-costly weapons programs, as DoD contractor CEO's demand salaries of $16 million/year.  Outraged, millions of Americans complain:  "We need to improve our military's leadership.  We need to improve the auditing of the bloated and wasteful Pentagon -- to prevent fraud and abuse."

Voters complain about the lack of promised jobs from Defense Firm contractors.  Voters complain about the billions of dollars of ripoffs spent on "weapons" that NEVER materialized, NEVER worked, failed audits and GOT CANCELLED.  Voters complain about the $58 billion lavished upon sleazy CEO's for cancelled and poorly-conceived programs.  For a mere $12 billion, the Beltway could pay ALL annual premiums for ALL 58 million Seniors on Medicare.

Poorly-designed (but very costly) "field showers" caused the deaths of 18 soldiers, yet NO CEO's were indicted!  Hundreds of GI deaths were caused by "Friendly fire" and faulty equipment.

The proven lack of effectiveness -- and huge cost -- of the Patriot Missile Defense System (PMDS) has outraged ripped-off taxpayers.  Turkey, a critical NATO ally, has refused to buy the absurdly expensive -- and often ineffective -- system.  Israel's less costly and popular Iron Dome System has been shown to be vastly superior at missile defense than the PMDS.

The Patriot Missile "Defense System" utterly FAILED during many enemy attacks:
1.  The 2019 missile attack on Saudi Arabia,
2.  The 2017 missile attack on Saudi Arabia,
​3.  The 1991 missile attack on Saudi Arabia, which killed 28 U.S. troops.

The $400 billion spent on America's missile defense (to poorly-audited and sleazy corporate executives, according to many experts) has yielded nearly absolutely zero decent results.

Extremely well-paid Pentagon managers have failed to solve many critical issues:
1.  Nationwide maintenance problems of ultra-expensive military equipment,
2.  Lack of Suicide Prevention for active-duty soldiers and combat veterans,
3.  Combat readiness problems within many military units,
4.  The Pentagon's failure to help Ukraine -- long before the 2022 Invasion, and

5.  "Right-To-Repair" contractor laws which endanger combat readiness.

Fighting For Common Citizens in 2023

GRIM TRUTHS:  OVERPUNISHMENT, LACK OF CLEMENCY

Americans hope the New Democratic Majority in Congress will replace today's "toxic leadership" within the military, with more dynamic policies to improve life for soldiers.

According to a Japanese study, Americans are the world's hardest workers.  Moreover, American soldiers are rated the world's best.  Tirelessly, they toil  to create the world's best Armed Forces.  Too often, however, soldiers are let down by "toxic leaders" who fail to boost morale -- or improve critical programs -- for rank-and-file, active-duty soldiers.

Long-term problems in the U.S. military have yet to be solved:

Expensive "combat systems" that don't work, but are bought by Congress after heavy lobbying by the Fortune 500.  The sexual harrassment -- and tragic deaths -- of many young soldiers, including Vanessa Guillen.  Dozens of preventable peacetime accidents, which took the lives of hundreds of peacetime U.S. soldiers.  "Toxic leaders" in the DoD.

For example, millions of Americans would voluntarily serve in the Armed Forces if they were offered shorter, first-time hitches.  Fresh out of school and unsure of their career choices, many new recruits would strongly prefer a short 18-month or 2-year first hitch.

In Europe -- where workers are treated much better -- NATO offers the choice of an 18-month or 2-year hitch to new soldiers.  "Toxic leaders" in America, however, demand that brand new recruits sign up for excessively long, 4-, 6-, or 8-year "first-time" hitches. 

Many new recruits prefer shorter hitches, as they are from the poor inner city -- and their parents have little, if any, military experience.  Because America's toxic leaders refuse to offer short-term enlistments, annual recruiting drives often fall far short of their goals.

Meanwhile,  so-called "American VIP's" are nowhere to be seen in the Military.  They are very poor role models, unlike British Royals (who always serve in the Military). Good luck finding an American politician, actor, CEO or other "celebrity" who served in the military!

Furthermore, America suffers NATO's worst, morale-busting statistics of neglected, mistreated, and overpunished soldiers (e.g., dishonorable discharges, courts-martial).

America has the First World's highest: (1) prison population, (2) homeless population, (3) pervasive worker poverty, and (4) pervasive wealth inequality.  It stands to reason, then, that American soldiers suffer similar statistics of lack of clemency and overpunishment.

To "quickly get rid of GI's for minor misconduct," the Pentagon has resorted to labeling GI's as "personality disorders" -- and then brutally kicking them out with "Bad Paper." 

Despite years of honorable service, GI's who suffer from PTSD have been given punitive discharges for minor offenses.  GI-friendly policies are increasingly a thing of the past.

Large nonprofits -- the NIMJ, ABA and NAACP -- have called for major judicial reforms.

Thousands of veterans will tell you: "There is room for improvement in the judicial system" --  with stronger emphasis on second-chance programs for overpunished soldiers.

         REFORM USA, PO BOX 380343, SAN ANTONIO, TX  78268

AMERICA NEEDS RENEWED, LONG-TERM DISCIPLINE

"America, we have a problem."  The military fell FAR SHORT of its recruitment goals in 2023.

Recruitment is falling short, partly because of "toxic leadership" which fails to:

1.  Offer more popular (i.e., shorter) first-time hitches

2.  Offer signup bonuses to ALL BRANCHES and ALL JOB CATEGORIES

3.  Lead by example (most U.S. politicians, for example, have NEVER SERVED)

4.  Lead by example (most U.S. celebrities, for example, have NEVER SERVED).

Many GI's are disgusted with MAJOR maintenance problems in the military. Soldiers were disgusted after the Top Brass covered up MAJOR problems with the Patriot Missile Defense System, Black Hawk Helicopters, and KBR "shower systems" (which killed 18 soldiers).

GI's are demanding IMMEDIATE feedback panels (overriding  command influence) to quickly fix REAL-TIME COMPLAINTS about unreliable systems --  to improve combat readiness.​​