Top Marine Explains Why He's Banning Confederate Flags on Bases

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Sons of Confederate Veterans float participates in the 2020 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade
In this Feb. 20, 2020 photo, the Sons of Confederate Veterans float participates in the 2020 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo Parade in Tucson, Ariz. (Rick Wiley/Arizona Daily Star via AP)

The Marine Corps is a combat organization that can't afford breakdowns in trust or unit cohesion, which is why the service's top general says he's banning all Confederate items on base.

Commandant Gen. David Berger acknowledged on Thursday that his recent directive to remove Confederate paraphernalia has been met with mixed reactions. But the general stood by the move in his first public comments about the controversial decision in an exclusive interview with Military.com.

"Things that divide us are not good," Berger said. "Whatever [Marines] have in their homes is fine. When on government property, we have to think as a unit and how to build a team, a cohesive team."

Berger, who spoke from the historic Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C., said his decision to ban Confederate items wasn't based on a specific event. A week before his memo was issued, members of Congress held a hearing on extremism in the military ranks, including the rising threat of white supremacy.

"It's about focusing on how we can get better, how we can get better as an organization," the commandant said.

Related: Top Marine Orders Confederate Paraphernalia to Be Removed from All Bases

At least one other military leader has been asked why his service isn't following the Marine Corps' lead and banning the items on base. A Coast Guard Academy cadet asked Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz this week if he would consider a similar decision for that service.

"If the use of such a derogatory object does not offend someone ... shouldn't we be worried about their ability to effectively lead and understand people of all different backgrounds?" the cadet asked, according to The Day in Connecticut.

Army officials were also asked if the Marine Corps' new policy would lead to 10 bases named for Confederate leaders being renamed. As of last week, service officials said there were no plans to rename any street or installation, including those named for Confederate generals, Task & Purpose reported.

Berger said no other military leaders have consulted him about his decision to forbid Confederate items on Marine Corps bases.

"They may, but not so far," he said.

The commandant said he expected mixed opinions on the policy. Some have applauded the decision, calling it long overdue. Others have accused Berger of attempting to strip the military of a part of its heritage.

Having grown up near the Mason-Dixon Line that separated the North and South and who studied at Tulane University, the New Orleans college that shut its doors during the Civil War, Berger said he's aware of what the flag means to many.

"But our focus as leaders is doing what's right for the institution," he said. "We're not being politically correct -- nobody told me to do this. The sergeant major and I are just trying to do what's right for the institution.

"We're trying to make it better."

-- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins.

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