Duty

by a former Special Forces Officer

 “I will guard everything within the limits of my Post…and will quit my Post, only when properly relieved.”

-General Order #1

On the ride back from the Pentagon today, I was deeply troubled. While in DC traffic, I had plenty of time to ruminate.

As we drove past Arlington, the endless rows of headstones flashed by, a somber reminder of the immense cost of our Nation’s wars.

I thought over the recent unfolding world events, war in Europe, war in the Middle east and perhaps in the coming months, war in Asia. For the first time in many years, the prospect of a World War loomed as a frightening reality.

At home, on the eve of perhaps the most important election in recent history, the nation itself seems bitterly divided, Americans against Americans. The growing dark clouds of war far from the minds of most citizens, at least for now.

As we ride on, I recall a speech of General Douglas MacArthur’s, his words echoing in my mind:

“Others will debate the controversial issues, national and international, which divide men’s minds. But serene, calm, aloof, you stand as the Nation’s war guardians, as its lifeguards from the raging tides of international conflict, as its gladiators in the arena of battle.”

I took little comfort from his words now as we move closer to war.

The world seems to tear itself apart, forced by both international and domestic pressures. Haven’t we been down this road before? Have we learned nothing from our experiences in the past century? Two horrific world wars and now we stand on the brink of another.

Our military has already been stretched to the limit after years of grinding wars in the Middle east, our forces are spent, we are just now rebuilding that force, preparing it as quickly as possible for the next conflict and yet warfare itself is transforming faster and in ways and means we cannot yet fully grasp.

Angst for the future of our country and for the world grips me. I need to make sense of this, for myself.

I reflected back on MacArthur’s words once again, reciting them slowly, like a mantra:

“Others will debate the controversial issues, national and international, which divide men’s minds”

“But serene, calm, aloof, you stand as the Nation’s war guardians”

“As its lifeguards from the raging tides of international conflict”

“As its gladiators in the arena of battle”

I am no war monger, nor a military automaton. I am neither oblivious to the forces shaping our world today, nor immune to its changes. I have opinions, beliefs, ideas, and judgements.

But while I wear the uniform, my oath to support and defend the Constitution remains my calling.

“But serene, calm, aloof, you stand as the Nation’s war guardians.”

My resolve returns… I slowly flush the self-doubt from my mind.

I am a professional soldier; it is my duty to serve. This is my sworn obligation as a Guardian of the Republic, one to which I have devoted my entire life.

I will not shrink from that responsibility. I will commit myself, with every fiber, to execute the lawful orders of those appointed over me, to the best of my ability.

I think of my children. What example do I set for them, if I renege on that duty? Would they see me as deserting the military at a time when leadership is needed most? The values instilled in them when they were younger: courage, commitment, service to others would all be a farce in their eyes were I to shirk my duty.

And of all the soldiers I have served with and continue to serve, who will lead them into this uncertain future if I don’t lead them? Does anyone love my soldiers more than I do? No. I in good conscious cannot dishonor them, for to do so would violate our sacred bond as warriors.

I am still at my post. And I will cast aside doubt, fear and apathy and continue to commit myself to the performance of that duty; to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. To preserve “our way of life.”

And with that affirmation in mind, the DC traffic seemed to flow just a little easier.

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This first appeared in The Havok Journal on November 5, 2024.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.