A native of Indiana, John Shields' career includes work in education, business and industry, management consulting. He is also a published writer / photographer and lecturer.
As a professor and head basketball coach at Purdue University Calumet in the late 1960's, Shields' office was located in the Armory of the Indiana Army National Guard 376th Engineering Company. For six years, in addition to his teaching and coaching duties, Shields worked closely with Army National Guard personnel.
Later, Shields was appointed Dean of Admissions at Culver Military Academy. During his Culver tenure, Shields worked closely with many active and retired military personnel from all branches of service. He became involved with Culver's JROTC program and was associated with military personnel from the U.S. Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force, along with military officers representing various foreign services.
While at Culver, Shields spent time at the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy and the Citadel.
Later, his son was in his final Para Rescue training phase at Kirtland AFB when he suffered a career-ending fractured leg. He also has a nephew who graduated from the Canadian Military Academy and is now a Captain in the Canadian Army.
Shields has a unique prospective of the military, having worked as a civilian hand-in-glove with military people most of his working life.
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January 10, 2005
[Have an opinion on a John Shields column? Sound off in the Discussion
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Who's really running military operations? In my opinion and the opinion of many military personnel, legalists are.
Military people are the last people who want to go to war because they know that war means killing people and smashing things. During wartime, military personnel and their families sacrifice a great deal for us, including the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.
I've been associated with the military since the 60's and I find military people to be very honorable. Without our courageous military, we would not have the freedoms that we enjoy today and these freedoms don't come cheap...death, suffering and the expenditure of our national treasure are required to maintain freedom.
With the advent of political cleansing (a.k.a. political correctness) permeating our society, the military has unfortunately become a victim. Commanders in the field are often forced to factor in legal ramifications along with battle tactics. During battles, snap judgements must be made and at times these judgments are required to protect our troops and win decisive battles. Fast decisions often have to be made without any thought at the time to political correctness.
It's easy for people not directly involved in combat to look at situations after the fact and make judgments. If they were on the scene taking fire and fighting for survival, they most likely would have a totally different interpretation of the situation.
On the battlefield, if a commander has to constantly weigh life and death decisions against legal ramifications, any slight delay could cost American lives.
In a recent interview on NPR, a "1CAV" lawyer recently stated that his commanding officer confers with him before committing troops to battle. This is wrong! Nevertheless, officers, NCO's and other military personnel could face a court martial and have their careers ruined if an aggressive JAG perceives that a terrorist's "rights" may have been jeopardized.
Sure, there are a few cases of misconduct in our military that are contrary to our established rules of engagement and these people should be disciplined. But action against terrorists trying to kill our troops or others should not be judged for political cleansing.
The media is quick to highlight any perceived injustices committed by American troops but seem slow to point out gross injustices that are committed by terrorists. In fact, the media doesn't, in most cases, even refer to the enemy as terrorists. They call them insurgents, combatants, freedom fighters, etc., all politically correct terms for barbarians.
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I think it's appalling that the safety of our military is greatly compromised because of political cleansing and legal issues sometimes created by overzealous JAG's. What young man or woman would want to join the military to defend our freedoms when they know, if something goes astray in the field because troops had to make a snap decision about life and death issues, that their commander may not support their actions, that the legal section of the military may recommend a court martial, and the media would surely smear their names?
War is a nasty business, and if we're not willing to fight without having to consider each action in a legal sense, then we should just give in and soon become a nation like the Roman Empire: irrelevant, conquered, and studied in history.
Ordinary citizens have to stand up and tell the decision-makers that enough is enough! Everyone needs to support those who are on the front lines defending our culture and freedoms.
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© 2005 John Shields. All opinions expressed
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