I know not what years my readers served our once great Corps, but I am of the vintage of the writer of the article below. He and I have history that goes back to 1966-67 and carried forward to the late 1980’s.
Our first tour together was in Vietnam in 2/1. I “think” he was a lieutenant, but I could be wrong. As a lowly sergeant in Echo company I know not his assignment; I seem to recall he was a company XO? I attempted to research his assignment in several places, but his all Bio’s aren’t that specific.
The next time was in 9th Marines on Okinawa 1977-78. I was a captain serving as the regimentals Asst OPSO, and he was a major serving as the OPSO with 2/9. That was the start of my feelings concerning this officer. It’s all in the book should you desire more information.
The next time I was a colonel serving as the Training Director at LFTCLant in Norfolk. He was a frocked BG serving as the Asst CG of 2d Marine Division at CLNC. An incident during this tour solidified my opinion of him that still carries on today.
I did see him again a few years ago at a Naples MCL Birthday Ball. I approached him to simply say hello and he did not recognize me. Guess I never made much of an impression on him. He developed the nick name of “Chuckie Cheese Krulak” by some Marines, including me!
To flush out some memory cells, the one accomplishment he enjoys boasting about was he takes credit for establishing the “crucible” in recruit training.
His daddy was Lieutenant General Victor Krulak (aka “The Brute”). In 1964 he was assigned as the Commanding General of all Marine Forces in the Pacific theater (CG FMF Pac), which of course, included the war in Vietnam. Rumor had it he was looking forward to becoming CMC, but in 1967, LBJ choose Leonard F. Chapman instead — a wise choice in my view. The next year Daddy retired.
Now if you think Daddy did not have something to do with the son becoming CMC, you live under a rock. Seriously!
The disproportionate share of insurrectionists at the US Capitol with a military background are not representative of the armed forces as a whole. Nonetheless, as the divide between the military and US civilian society grows, even more attention will need to be paid to weeding out extremists.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – Revelations that the insurrection at the US Capitol included many former and current members of America’s armed forces have been met with alarm. And yet, as a 35-year veteran and retired commandant of the US Marine Corps, I saw the events of January 6 as the predictable culmination of a growing disconnect between the US military and civilian society.
Once home, many veterans joined organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, where they were surrounded by like-minded people who had served, suffered, and sacrificed together. Jobs were plentiful, and Americans took pride in their country and their military.
Similarly, in the Korean War less than a decade later, though America was never “all in,” it nonetheless had clear strategic goals. As in WWII, US servicemen and women did a remarkable job and came home to an appreciative country.
But then came Vietnam, where most Americans never really knew what their country was fighting for. When the conflict finally came to its ignominious end in April 1975, there was no victory to celebrate (and it certainly was not fireworks that flew from the roof of the US embassy in Saigon). Unlike previous generations, those who fought in Vietnam were not honored for their service and sacrifice. Equally important, the public backlash against the war led to the end of military conscription, which fundamentally transformed the relationship between the military and the American people. The rift created by the shift to an all-volunteer military has grown wider ever since.
After Vietnam, America’s next major war was Desert Storm, in 1990. Again, clear strategic goals were met in a dramatic fashion, and US servicemen and women returned to a proud country – on the cusp of becoming the world’s only remaining superpower with the collapse of the Soviet Union the following year.
It was against this political, social, and economic backdrop that America embarked on its “long war.” Much like Vietnam, the “War on Terror” lacks clear strategic goals and has lost public buy-in over time. Many of those who have fought it subscribe to the apocryphal refrain that while the military was at war, America was at Walmart. After serving multiple tours in Iraq or Afghanistan, servicemen and women who sacrificed years of their lives have received little recognition.
In his 1973 book, The American Way of War, the historian Russell F. Weigley quoted US General George C. Marshall as saying, “a democracy cannot fight a Seven Years’ War,” because any protracted conflict eventually will lose the support of the electorate. The longer a war runs – particularly when it becomes cross-generational – the greater the disconnect between the typical citizen and the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who serve.
he War on Terror is an abiding case in point, helping to shed light on the unrest and extremism that burst into public view at the Capitol. A small minority of alienated former and active service members have concluded that something is wrong in the America for which they fought and sacrificed. The past two presidential elections have fueled this discontent and convinced some that they have a duty to confront perceived domestic “enemies.” Political leaders, meanwhile, have exploited these sentiments for their own advantage.
The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to a perfect storm. As the economy shed jobs – particularly at the lower end of the income distribution – face-to-face interactions were no longer possible. With deepening social atomization, it has become more difficult to experience solidarity. Angst or boredom have afflicted many, and some have found refuge in online communities espousing extremist ideologies. The 2020 presidential election brought the situation to a boiling point. A sitting commander-in-chief openly sought to overturn a free and fair election with lies and intimidation, and a small minority of his acolytes answered his call to action. Really?
But Americans should have faith. Notwithstanding a few outliers, the US military is unwavering in its support of, and dedication to, the US Constitution. Those in its ranks who harbor extremist views will be discovered and dealt with appropriately. Looking ahead, recruitment methods will be strengthened to weed out extremists. Recruiters will have to look not only at candidates’ social-media activity but also at their “body paint” (tattoos) and other potential indicators of extremist or racist sympathies. Interviews will need to be more pointed, and education for active members improved.
While the troubling trajectory of US military-civil relations has created fertile ground for some members to be radicalized, it is important to remember that the insurrectionists represent an exception. The US military has defended American democracy for centuries and will continue to do so, in keeping with our noblest traditions. Yes, I agree general, you can bet on it!
In sum, I categorize this fellow in the same company as Mattis, Allen, and all the other Kool Aid drinking generals viewing the military through their woke eyes and ears. Krulak says the recruiters will take care of this supposed problem. LOL What does he know about recruiting — Nothing!
Originally posted 2021-03-19 10:19:10.
Jim,
There is so much that bothers me about Krulak’s OpEd but to say it all in remarks in your blog would take forever. Krulak appears to be just another one of the hundreds of senior retired (and active) officers who have bought into the leftist radical narrative (and sold their honor to big business and corporate boards). He seems to believe that not much is wrong in our country except the right-wing extremists. Yes, there are some, but in numbers far less than those in BLM, antifa, the media, academia, and Congress. Problem is, they actually believe it. Now, the active military has joined them and is hiring diversity officers to act in the manner of commissars in the communist party. This evil now manifests itself in the halls of the U S Military and Naval Academies. I know for a fact that officers now watch whatever they about women, race, minorities, anything. Big brother is always watching and ready to pounce. Being a military man (I should say person) is not what it used to be.
As for Krulak himself…..I find him no worse that several other senior officers and better than some. Body paint for recruiters to check? But not on leftist extemists? Nuts.
Biden says “unity” but it will never happen with all they are doing to ruin our once great country. More than one half of the people have drunk the Kool-aid and think things are just fine. Critical race theory, cancel culture, Biden is not feeble, all whites are supremacists, the border is closed, BLM is not a Marxist organization, voter ID is Jim Crow, it’s the gun not the criminal, George Floyd is a saint, etc.
Not certain that we can recover from this mess. Maybe they will become so radical people will awaken.
Thank you Bill for speaking up. I could not agree with you more. With four years of this BS, I seriously doubt our once great nation will ever recover to anything near what it once was. Someone will probably launch an attack on us by the end of his term in office, as I am sure every enemy is laughing at us and building up as well as gaining ground on us economically. Watch out America, it may be time to start build air raid shelters again as we did in the 50’s
The “Crushable Marine” was the begining of the end as it placed too much emphasis on deriving an emotion from the trainee that was centered on their instant gratification to be called a Marine before Graduation Day when they participated in an physically challenging series of events. Like it’s architect, it was found lacking. It failed to rectify the real problem of incomplete initial enlistments during the early to mid nineties…NCO empowerment which would have solved most of the problem was undermined by the media and the progressive left who were quoted back in the day as “loathing the military”…[Slick Willie]
For that poser Krulak….His article proves what Uncle Ronald W. Reagan has said about our lberal friends….it’s just that there is so much they know that isn’t true.
So now he still requires some level of recognition/ approval from his masters in the swamp.
Good point Master Guns, Thanks. When my DI’s shook my hand as we filed out of the squad bay to get on the buses in the early morning hours in June 1958 was the significant event of my life. It seems they are more worried about impressing everyone else, especially mom and dad. The worse thing they ever did was send them home with mom and dad instead of straight to SOI (old ITR). Take it from someone who had to deal with them coming to me after being with their home boys for ten days. When I assumed command of SOI I was amazed at the attrition. But at least we impressed mom and dad at the depots.
A hollow shell of what a Marine Officer should be and represent. Must have been promoted on the legendary accomplishments of his dad. I thought that at the time he was nominated to CMC and the idea is even stronger now having read this.
I can’t imagine having to check for tattoos when I was on recruiting duty particularly for female applicants.
Was a hat when he was CMC. Douchebag was more worried about the perception of the Crucible/ EGA ceremony at the end of the Crucible than the training. Our hot washes would literally discuss the reasons why recruits were looking “too exhausted/ worn out” or not crying enough.
And he was a proponent of all Marines getting a government CC. That was a GREAT idea Any! Any guesses on the company’s name he was pushing for?
Don’t know which pissed me off more?? That or the fact he was in Alabama when I retired. CHis comments on the capital events were clueless words from a clueless mismanager.
BamaMajor22
Did I tell you that Taffy and I went to the 6 Jan rally in DC? While it was bitter cold and there were thousands and thousands present, it was no riot or attempt to take over the government. We were there. We saw and heard what was said and seen. Anyone who says differently either wasn’t there OR is lying on purpose.
He was in 2/9 as the Ops O briefly. A thorough jackass. Who promotes these assholes?
Rectal cranial inversion, plain and simple.
I noticed, with regret, that Krulack did not bother to explain what an extremist was. I must qualify as an extremist as I consider myself a strict Constitutionist and love the Corps with a passion. Open definations seem to be the trademark of liberals.
The idea of using recruiters as politicial investigators is repugnent to me.
Lets not forget that “Daddy” was a influential news manager after his service and had many good friends in government. This may have helped his son’s unexplained advancements. Not the first time, and definately won’t be the last!
Obama started this by his purge of great military leaders to replace them with WOKE whiners that weakened our great military. I fear the new generation of “fighters” will be too busy waving rainbow flags to pick up their guns..
Agree whole heartedly…..
I have little good to say about Chuck Krulak. Like you, I met him on several occasions and had no overwhelmingly good feelings about his leadership style or his base of knowledge or understanding of (then) contemporary issues. I never thought that it was a good thing for a field officer to treat his company grade subordinates as a DI would his recruits. A contemporary told me (c.1978) that the only thing that kept him from smacking Krulak in the mouth was the likelihood of a subsequent court-martial.
The problem with his argument vis-à-vis extremism is that our combat forces are, by every definition, trained and molded into the most extremely violent combat organizations the world has ever known. We don’t win battles by engaging in circle-jerks to learn how much in common we have with an enemy. So, in this area, Krulak demonstrates a profound lack of understanding.
Rather than waxing eloquent on this mountain of bullshit, he could be looking for ways to help heal our psychologically wounded combat veterans from never-ending wars started by people just like him. To my knowledge, there is no pre-EAS program designed to help put these young men back together before we release them back into mainstream society. Why not, General Krulak? Is it because you, along with most 3-4 star politico’s lack the leadership ability of a brand new second lieutenant?
It is amazing to me that this fellow ever got past major much less all the way to CMC. I agree with your assessment that he is one of those political pukes who thinks far more about himself than warranted. His “article” makes me wonder if he’s decided to leave British football and is now interested in a position within the Biden Administration. I would not be surprised. I do hope Krulak publishes a book though – so that I’ll have the pleasure of not buying it.
Well said, Marine. Semper fi.
Talk is cheap general, come and get some….Oooohrah
Krulak was CMC when I was a captain in the mid-late ’90s. He was absolutely full of himself and didn’t get a lot of respect from junior grade, and many field grade officers. He was out of touch then and apparently, he still is.
Yes sir, it was the company grade officers that gave him the nick name. Thanks for the comment!
Krulak – “ A sitting commander-in-chief openly sought to overturn a free and fair election with lies and intimidation, and a small minority of his acolytes answered his call to action. Really?”
Me – “Bullsh*t”