By Ray Cardello for October 5, 2021 Season 6 / Post 15

Two Generals and the Secretary of Defense testified before the Senate and House this past week about the debacle end of the Afghanistan War. The war ended in early September but not before we saw 13 of our brave military killed, 10 Afghan civilians murdered by one of our drones, and the stranding of countless American civilians and Afghan SIVs. The three men testifying did their best not to throw Biden under the bus, but they had to respond to direct questions. Their answers indicate that Biden was not truthful when telling the country that all his military advisors agreed with his plan to exit Afghanistan. All three admitted that they counseled Biden to keep at least 2,500 units in Kabul. I’ll rephrase. Biden lied to America.

There were calls from members of Congress for these men to resign. There were calls for someone to take responsibility and accountability for our military’s worst weeks in history. These officers and the secretary were not prepared to take the suggestions. But they did find two members of the military to fall on their swords. Neither did so voluntarily.

The Pentagon needed scapegoats. They tried to sacrifice Trump and the State Department, but that did not satisfy anyone. So they then turned their attention to two unlikely victims. Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller went viral on Facebook after posting a video criticizing the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was calling for any officer involved to take responsibility and resign. Instead, he has been in solitary confinement at Camp Lejeune since arrested last week. Scheller is accused of the following offenses under the UCMJ: Article 88: Contempt toward officials, Article 90: Willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, Article 92: Failure to obey an order, and Article 133: Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, according to Task and Purpose. All of these charges are the result of a video. Schiller had nothing to do with our escape from Afghanistan.

During a rally in Georgia last weekend, former President Donald Trump invited Lance Cpl. Hunter Clark to the stage, implying he was the Marine in a viral video who lifted a child over a wall at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“We’re also honored to be joined by one of the Marines who bravely served in Kabul during the withdrawal,” Trump said, “and helped evacuate children over … the airport wall. You saw him. He did a great job.” 

Clark told the audience Saturday: “I am the guy that pulled the baby over the wall and it’s definitely probably one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my entire life.” Clark then thanked the audience for their support before leaving the stage. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) has initiated a command investigation regarding LCpl Hunter Clark’s attendance at the event last weekend to determine if any DoD policies were violated. He may be held accountable for being on stage with Trump, and therefore, he must have a hand in the Afghanistan embarrassment.

Both of these situations are distractions, but these two men deserve to be released from the unnecessary actions they are being subjected to, and apologies are in order. A good way to apologize would be for Milley, Miller, and Austin to resign. That would be a trifecta apology.