On Watch 32.2 Summer 2021
Volume 32 Vol 2: Click the links above for online articles (when available). Click the Download button for the PDF of the entire issue. Back issues here.
Tag: Volume 32
Fort Hood: A Toxic Culture
By Jeff Lake Following the April 2020 murder of Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood at the hands of another soldier, the military was forced — thanks to organizing by her family and the resulting public outcry — to appoint an independent commission…Read More »
White Supremacy and Extremism in the Military
By Kathleen Gilberd Image Source[1] White supremacist and neo-fascist activity within the military are long-standing problems. They go back at least to the 1970’s, when the Pendleton 14 case exposed an active Ku Klux Klan chapter at that Marine base, and further…Read More »
Minor Changes on Milpersman Reveal Navy Bias Against Conscientious Objectors
By Bill Galvin In December the Navy issued new conscientious objector regulations, Milpersman 1900-020. It is essentially the same as the previous version, with some reorganization and minor changes in wording to bring it more in alignment with DODI 1300.06, which was…Read More »
‘In-Service Transition for Transgender Servicemembers’ policy updated
By Jeff Lake As discussed in the last issue of On Watch, the President has issued an Executive Order which allows transgender individuals to enlist and serve openly in the military. This article will review the recent issuance of DoD Instruction 1300.28…Read More »
Free speech in the military – the case of Cpt Alan Kennedy
by James M. Branum In the messaging put out by US military recruiters, one common theme is that the military “protects freedom,”[1] but unfortunately the military itself does a poor job of protecting the rights of its members to engage in their…Read More »
Supreme Court refuses to weigh constitutionality of male-only draft
“Worst news in years for opponents of the draft and draft registration” Editor’s Note: Due to the timely and critical nature of this article, which was included in the Summer 2021 issue of On Watch, we are bypassing our usual 30-day hold…Read More »
Transgender Ban Update
By Jeff Lake On January 25, 2021, after years of confusion and litigation, the ban on military service by transgender individuals was lifted by executive order1 of President Biden. In conjunction with the order, the Pentagon issued a statement2 from Defense Secretary…Read More »