OPINION:
It’s pathetic to watch the integrity and status of the U.S. military dwindle. From the recent intimidation of our Navy vessels by the Russians doing low fly-bys and buzzing our ships in the Baltic Sea, to the taking of 10 of our sailors by the Iranians, our military may well have fallen to an all-time low and become a laughingstock for the world to see (“Russia rejects criticism of fly-by near US Navy destroyer,” Web, April 14).
This is, of course, thanks to our feckless ’leaders.’ No longer are we respected by our allies or foes; instead, we are cannon fodder for intimidation and threats, and we lack the ability to respond.
One of my concerns about the recent Russian fly-by is this: What if the pilot had lost control of his craft and crashed into one of our ships, killing hundreds of personnel? What if a Russian pilot had gone rogue and intentionally bombed our fleet?
It is beyond me why are leaders haven’t made it clear that this act was unacceptable. As a Marine squad leader in 60 mortars in Vietnam, one of my first priorities was to keep my men safe. This is not what is happening on a very large scale in our military.
Our leaders should make it clear that any more attempts to embarrass or threaten us will result in retaliation — if for no other reason than that it would show those who would sacrifice their lives for our country that our leaders have their backs.
GREGORY J. TOPLIFF
Warrenville, S.C.
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