2021 On October 27, in Graffenwall, Germany, Army Minister Christina Walmut discussed lessons learned with the 41st Artillery Brigade. ( US Army Sgt. Keisha Brown)
US Army Secretary Christine Womuth said Monday she was concerned about the public's perception that the top leadership of the military is partisan. Earlier, a general was investigated by the Attorney General, who faced criticism of the right-wing of the military on Twitter. Speaking to reporters at the Army's annual meeting, Womuth said the unit needed to have a "broad appeal" to attract new troops, and senior leaders should stay away from polarized politics and use good judgment online.
The Army Oversight Agency investigation found that Major General Patrick Donahoe had a vulgar dispute with Fox News host Tucker Carlson and other online right-wingers (posts defending the female army) on Twitter and attracted unnecessary national attention, with public controversy this month.
“Unfortunately, in such a politicized environment, the key to senior leaders is to exercise good judgment,” Walmut said at the U.S. Army Conference Association in Washington, D.C. “You know, I think that’s the most important thing for (the commander-in-chief of the Army). James McConville (James) McConville and I are a military that doesn't care about politics and don't let it get involved in the cultural war because frankly, we have to be able to have broad appeal."
Last year, in his prime time show, Carlson mocked the "new hairstyles and maternity flight suits" of female service workers, claiming that "pregnant women will participate in our wars"
claims that the U.S. military is becoming feminine in a political right-wing movement, with some Republican congressmen claiming that the military has "awakened" and insisting on progressing ideology because it seeks more inclusive women (being given full military roles less than a decade ago) and ethnic minorities.
At that time, Carlson's criticism was condemned by a spokesperson for the Pentagon. Other Army leaders responded, including Army Major Michael Grinston, who tweeted: “Women lead our deadliest troops with personality. They will dominate any future battlefields we are called to join. Tucker Carlson’s words are divisive and do not reflect our values.”
Donahoe posted a video in which he relisted a noncommissioned officer on top of tank and wrote: “This is just a reminder, Tucker Carlson couldn't be more wrong. "Investigators said the tweet " showed bad judgment" and triggered subsequent news reports that "had a negative impact on the military."
Donaho also contacted female service staff on Twitter and often congratulated them on their achievements. IG found that this also "poor judgment" and may be regarded as giving them preferential treatment that is superior to other subordinates.
Army Inspector General Donald Martin told the military. When asked about the matter, she was unable to comment on the ongoing investigation.
When asked whether the Army's vague social media guidelines should be updated, Womuth suggested that the rules should be reviewed, but she said she was unfamiliar with the specifics of the guidelines.
She said: "I admit that I'm not very familiar with what our guide is saying at the moment." "I think senior leaders need to be careful not to participate in partisan discussions on social media or in public remarks." Donaho's fate has not yet been determined after the
IG report was released. He originally planned to retire in the summer, but was postponed due to the investigation.
However, the entire force generally believes that the IG investigation results are an insult to the recent advances made by women in the military, that mere defense of women’s right to serve in uniform is considered partisan bias. The military interviewed some senior army officials. com also treats the report's findings as evidence that the service is not yet involved in a misinformation-filled environment.
"That whole thing is to show women whether intentional or not, we are not worthy of defense," a noncommissioned officer told Military.com. "If he could get slapped in the face, why would anyone defend women in public?"
Given that other service leaders forwarded Donaho's comments to Carlson and wrote their own message, it is not clear why Donaho was selected. Some leaders, including Grinston, often use their online services to congratulate or encourage soldiers who share their positive Army experience on Twitter.
Wormers quoted himself and McConville as saying: "We sometimes laugh because the statements that one or the other will make are criticized from the left and right." "So, frankly, I think it's just a sign of the difficulty of not being accused of being on the side of the party on the public stage."
