America’s Chain Of Command Fell Apart

What is going on with the US military? America’s chain of command fell apart last week. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on January 1st when he began experiencing severe pain. But he didn’t tell anyone and this came as the US was conducting airstrikes in Baghdad. The President didn’t find out that his Pentagon Chief was hospitalized until January 4th, and he only found out because his National Security Advisor told him. The Deputy Defense Secretary, who was on vacation in Puerto Rico, only assumed part of his duties on January 2nd, and she had no idea why. It was only on Friday night that Lloyd Austin told lawmakers that he was hospitalized. Biden says he won’t accept Austin’s resignation if he offers it nor will he fire him, but more questions still remain. Like why did Austin and the Pentagon not tell the White House? Why was all of this kept a secret from the President and the public? And doesn’t the Pentagon have a responsibility to inform the public?

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Produced by: Ben Wheeler, Philip DeFranco
Edited by: Ben Wheeler
Art Department: William Crespo
Writing/Research: Ben Wheeler, Philip DeFranco
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#usa #america #military

[clockworkcrew]

Typically we don’t want people to know if our military command has fallen apart

[grievouslytired]

He was treated at the Walter Reed hospital, which is a military installation, his condition really shouldve been relayed to those with need-to-know. But if something were to happen while someone like the secdef couldnt be reached, then whatever decision would be required would be made by the next highest ranking person qualified to take charge. A situation like this is the very reason why we maintain the chain of command.

[jesusofbullets]

While it’s understandable the public was uninformed, the fact that the CoC was not informed is a HUGE red flag. Imagine if something HUGE went down and nobody knew what to do because the SecDef was incapacitated in the hospital with nobody knowing where he was? The fact he didn’t designate or delegate responsibilities before knowingly going under surgery is a HUGE deal.

[BoilerOfSeasFallerOfStars]

I resign from my position
Biden: nuh uh

[samundef]

The fact that this is the most dramatic thing about our military right now is encouraging next to chinas issues.

[colinwalker]

Clearly he figured it was gonna be a quick in and out thing and dramatically failed at informing people once that situation failed.

[chrisbach]

I already heard about this and it really isn’t a big deal. SecDef had complications in his medical operation, so the undersecretary was immediately called in to take over (she did so while on leave). Also remember, DOD is a department designed for WAR, meaning they have many redundancies in place to maintain chain of command.

The only issue is that someone forgot to tell the White House and the press, which would have been almost immediately rectified when discovered.

[SpartanBrix]

The Pentagon not telling the President stuff is pretty normal, no?

[G-er]

The need to know. It's an important aspect of governance. To keep secret from the head of government is a normal practice. Why? To stop leaks, to prevent vulnerability, to maintain stability.

[incognito]

meanwhile, I've been put on 15 mile ruck because a private in a different company didnt tell his sgt he was going to be 15 minutes late to work because of a mandatory dental appointment...

[cyberphysics]

What a joke. Accountability in the government!

[hevytimes]

SECDEF is NOT military, and the actual MILITARY person that was supposed to cover, was never promoted because of Tubberville and his whole hissy fit back in the spring. As to letting public know? "Oh hey, my front door is broken and I'm going out, " doesn't seem smart to yell out.

[leudwigvonshwartsenhelm]

I'm really starting to think nobody's in

[_Fonso_]

Their incompetence is gonna cost American lives by the time they are replaced by people capable of the position, and I'm talking about all of them

[Optimumlabsllc]

Our leaders are old. We should be expecting more and more of this

[GibbsDWorld]

For him to say I won't accept his resignation, nor fire him, is the most respect to someone so good at their job.

[rickychristiansen]

They are idiots and need to be charged with dereliction of duty. Remove their pensions and give the jail time. This goes for everyone of them involved in the Afghanistan exit debacle.

[kraziejedi]

They prob didn't want Biden to know

[SlightIyVicious]

Any of us would have been fired for no call no show for work for that long. His situational awareness was reproachful and not the actions of someone in his position.

[ThatOneDude]

The Pentagon : the public doesn't have to know and Biden wouldn't know even if we told him