I have several younger (30+) friends who have honorably served in the military for well over ten years, sought religious exemptions, and were subsequently denied and subjected to various forms of harassment and humiliation, as well as threatened by dishonorable discharges - all designed to pressure them into compliance or, to make dramat…
I have several younger (30+) friends who have honorably served in the military for well over ten years, sought religious exemptions, and were subsequently denied and subjected to various forms of harassment and humiliation, as well as threatened by dishonorable discharges - all designed to pressure them into compliance or, to make dramatic examples of them so as to pressure the compliance of others.
By the grace of God, they stood their ground in the face of disgusting and dishonorable actions by the very senior officers they were called to respect and follow into harm’s way, and I am so proud of each of them!
While it is sad that it has come to this; that what they had planned as a full career will now be abandoned, they now, thankfully, are able to leave the service with honorable discharges. Incredibly, however, their superiors are now striving to get them to re-enlist!
I believe that, if we were living in the pre-2020 world, they would probably do so. But these young men and women have learned that they cannot trust their officers or the military brass to live up to their vows; to be honorable; to be trustworthy. Consequently, they are ‘casting their bread upon the waters’, in faith that God will guide as they follow their conscience’s in these incredibly uncertain and confusing days.
I know only a handful personally, but I hope there are many more such young men and women of true courage and integrity in our country, who are willing to pay the price to be true to their vows, fundamental values, and beliefs in the face of what is, essentially, dishonorable and corrupt, if not evil, ‘leadership’ ...
It has always been the case that those who join the military, do so with the knowledge that they could be sent into harms way in defense of our national security. That remains true today, although we can now see that ‘national security’ claims have often been a cover for matters that have nothing to do with that - unless it be to undermine it.
Whether they realize it or not, what has changed is that those who join the military now, are signing up to be placed in harms way, with a ‘real and present danger’ from within their very branch of service. And it is the very best of potential recruits that would most likely have the critical thinking skills and awareness of this fact, as well as the character to ‘just say no’ - refusing to enlist.
Even though unique in certain ways, the military is a microcosm of our broader society, and it is extremely hard - for me, at least - to see how trust in our institutions can ever be regained, unless the status quo is completely upended. And the critical question, it seems to me, is; ‘Can the patient survive the operation?’
The ship of State is sinking, and perhaps the best we can do is strive to retard the rate at which the flooding is occurring - which is always a great idea! As to whether the ship can be saved or not, wellI don’t know the answer, except to say, ‘May God help us, because that is truly our only hope!’
Yes, you are right. For me, the ship of state is somewhere down in the Marianas Trench. That far gone. Last body blows? Covid genocide. Ukraine. Sanctions. East Palestine. Fed private central bank financial system engineered destruction.
All that you point to is true, but we haven’t sunk beneath the waves yet. It may be that it is inevitable, but we’re still - miraculously, I believe - afloat. And, in my mind, that means we can still be ‘dangerous’ to those who seek our national demise. I believe we all realize that we’re at a very critical juncture in our nation’s history. And it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to find any logical, rational basis for optimism regarding the crises we face. But, that’s precisely where the preciousness of faith in the true and loving triune God of the Bible; comes into clear view.
Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—“
The end will come, eventually, to all things - including this Epoch of human history. But, God is Sovereign over the entire created universe, and His will shall be fulfilled, in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth - for the glory of God, and the glory of His Kingdom.
I sometimes get too dark. And of course, we fight for our Lord. We love what God loves and we fear what God hates ... and that is the beginning of wisdom.
G-d bless them. I am thankful they persevered and understand that what they have seen and experienced firsthand prevents them from serving with their original enthusiasm and conviction. Covid was a clarifying event for many within many professions and disciplines.
Whether it’s fully, or partially, collapsed, I hope you know how proud we are of each and every one of you who stood your ground. Everyone thinks they will, or at least hopes they will. But no one knows until they are put into the crucible, how they will actually respond. It’s the service members like you and my friends, who should be in leadership positions - because that’s what each of you have proven yourselves capable of being; leaders.
Fighting this battle and the stress over the last year and a half has sucked the life out of me. I had a major try to talk me
Into going to OCS but I have no energy to. I’ve been so stressed sometimes it just takes everything to wake up and go to work. I know I can be a good officer. Just starting from the bottom as a junior lieutenant may not be my thing. I may just want to hit my 20 and leave and go off to my farm and never fight again. Who knows.
My heart aches for what you and others like you are having to go through...
But (Behold the Underlying Truth) God...
I came up to Captain through the hawsepipe myself, and I’m not given to saccharine motivational blurbs. But God... He is the ultimate reality that we all must deal with and,,if you are His:
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God Bless you sir, but please don't let your heart ache for me. If it wasn't me, it would be someone else. This is my calling in life. Maybe they would give in to the easy out and get the shot. I know a bunch of folks who did. I utterly despise and hate tyrants of all kinds. I'm stubborn as a mule about things I believe in and refusing the fealty test, aka the clot shot, was one of them.
I have several younger (30+) friends who have honorably served in the military for well over ten years, sought religious exemptions, and were subsequently denied and subjected to various forms of harassment and humiliation, as well as threatened by dishonorable discharges - all designed to pressure them into compliance or, to make dramatic examples of them so as to pressure the compliance of others.
By the grace of God, they stood their ground in the face of disgusting and dishonorable actions by the very senior officers they were called to respect and follow into harm’s way, and I am so proud of each of them!
While it is sad that it has come to this; that what they had planned as a full career will now be abandoned, they now, thankfully, are able to leave the service with honorable discharges. Incredibly, however, their superiors are now striving to get them to re-enlist!
I believe that, if we were living in the pre-2020 world, they would probably do so. But these young men and women have learned that they cannot trust their officers or the military brass to live up to their vows; to be honorable; to be trustworthy. Consequently, they are ‘casting their bread upon the waters’, in faith that God will guide as they follow their conscience’s in these incredibly uncertain and confusing days.
I know only a handful personally, but I hope there are many more such young men and women of true courage and integrity in our country, who are willing to pay the price to be true to their vows, fundamental values, and beliefs in the face of what is, essentially, dishonorable and corrupt, if not evil, ‘leadership’ ...
It has always been the case that those who join the military, do so with the knowledge that they could be sent into harms way in defense of our national security. That remains true today, although we can now see that ‘national security’ claims have often been a cover for matters that have nothing to do with that - unless it be to undermine it.
Whether they realize it or not, what has changed is that those who join the military now, are signing up to be placed in harms way, with a ‘real and present danger’ from within their very branch of service. And it is the very best of potential recruits that would most likely have the critical thinking skills and awareness of this fact, as well as the character to ‘just say no’ - refusing to enlist.
Even though unique in certain ways, the military is a microcosm of our broader society, and it is extremely hard - for me, at least - to see how trust in our institutions can ever be regained, unless the status quo is completely upended. And the critical question, it seems to me, is; ‘Can the patient survive the operation?’
The ship of State is sinking, and perhaps the best we can do is strive to retard the rate at which the flooding is occurring - which is always a great idea! As to whether the ship can be saved or not, wellI don’t know the answer, except to say, ‘May God help us, because that is truly our only hope!’
Yes, you are right. For me, the ship of state is somewhere down in the Marianas Trench. That far gone. Last body blows? Covid genocide. Ukraine. Sanctions. East Palestine. Fed private central bank financial system engineered destruction.
All that you point to is true, but we haven’t sunk beneath the waves yet. It may be that it is inevitable, but we’re still - miraculously, I believe - afloat. And, in my mind, that means we can still be ‘dangerous’ to those who seek our national demise. I believe we all realize that we’re at a very critical juncture in our nation’s history. And it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to find any logical, rational basis for optimism regarding the crises we face. But, that’s precisely where the preciousness of faith in the true and loving triune God of the Bible; comes into clear view.
Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—“
The end will come, eventually, to all things - including this Epoch of human history. But, God is Sovereign over the entire created universe, and His will shall be fulfilled, in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth - for the glory of God, and the glory of His Kingdom.
I sometimes get too dark. And of course, we fight for our Lord. We love what God loves and we fear what God hates ... and that is the beginning of wisdom.
G-d bless them. I am thankful they persevered and understand that what they have seen and experienced firsthand prevents them from serving with their original enthusiasm and conviction. Covid was a clarifying event for many within many professions and disciplines.
There are a lot of us who refused to tow the line and get the shot, even when offered the “novavax”.
And guess what, the entir house collapsed
Whether it’s fully, or partially, collapsed, I hope you know how proud we are of each and every one of you who stood your ground. Everyone thinks they will, or at least hopes they will. But no one knows until they are put into the crucible, how they will actually respond. It’s the service members like you and my friends, who should be in leadership positions - because that’s what each of you have proven yourselves capable of being; leaders.
Fighting this battle and the stress over the last year and a half has sucked the life out of me. I had a major try to talk me
Into going to OCS but I have no energy to. I’ve been so stressed sometimes it just takes everything to wake up and go to work. I know I can be a good officer. Just starting from the bottom as a junior lieutenant may not be my thing. I may just want to hit my 20 and leave and go off to my farm and never fight again. Who knows.
My heart aches for what you and others like you are having to go through...
But (Behold the Underlying Truth) God...
I came up to Captain through the hawsepipe myself, and I’m not given to saccharine motivational blurbs. But God... He is the ultimate reality that we all must deal with and,,if you are His:
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God bless and keep you my friend.
God Bless you sir, but please don't let your heart ache for me. If it wasn't me, it would be someone else. This is my calling in life. Maybe they would give in to the easy out and get the shot. I know a bunch of folks who did. I utterly despise and hate tyrants of all kinds. I'm stubborn as a mule about things I believe in and refusing the fealty test, aka the clot shot, was one of them.
Well said.