First, I think the author of the story was being somewhat sensational in reporting...[]...here at the college regarding the state of relations. I have never heard in uniform anyone seriously suggest a coup against the government.
Second, this same thing happened following Vietnam. I recalled
this anecdote in a prior thread about a thrashing GEN Abrams received in the 1970's from disgruntled Fort Leavenworth Majors. (Most of whom became the officers who rebuilt the army in the 80's). I would say it is neither unprecedented or a risk to the republic.
Yes, trust in the officer corps is strained and many are angry on what they perceived was a mismanaged war. The officer trust gap was well documented before 9/11 with several leadership
surveys and had built up in the 90s "zero defect" army. The events of 9/11 allowed the army a "hall pass" on resolving the cultural and institutional issues due to heightened patriotism and service drive. Our senior leadership issues in OEF/OIF are directly related to the causes identified in the studies from 2001. Micromanaging, careerism, work hours, deployments, bad leaders promoted, etc.
Now that the debate is beginning on "Who lost Iraq", all the chickens are coming home to roost, captains are fleeing the army (a senior officer told me 66% of the 2002 West Point class had submitted resignations at the end of their obligation this year), and someone is to blame. The army has tried a band aid through bribery with bonuses and grad school, but has thus far failed to entertain addressing the structural issues causing the exodus.
Bottom line, the Army's problems with trust and morale really began following Desert Storm, and the effect culturally of the 90's drawdown.
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