Over two dozen military service members have voiced concerns about their children joining the military, marking the end of a legacy for some families and reflecting a tough decision for all parties involved. Chris Collins, who served in the Coast Guard for almost 12 years, revealed that he is discouraging his two children from enlisting after being “kicked out” in 2022 for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Collins cited distrust and the current culture as major factors in his decision. He also expressed remorse for encouraging his brother to join the Air Force, as it didn’t turn out well for him.
Collins highlighted his concerns about the Coast Guard’s decision-making ability even before the vaccine mandate. He claimed that the leadership’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) had created a toxic environment for those who didn’t believe in it. Collins believed that the push for cultural initiatives like DEI and the enforcement of an experimental vaccine demonstrated a lack of care for the military. He questioned the effectiveness of leadership that fails to stand up against harmful policies and emphasized the need for individuals willing to stop the negative change in military culture.
Despite his desire to see a positive change in the military, Collins expressed doubts about its current state. He believes that the strong influence of a new culture focused on personal advancement would hinder any meaningful difference his children could make. Collins stated that promoting the military to his children went against everything they believed in, particularly regarding issues like DEI.
Another military member, Brian Wilson, echoed Collins’ sentiments about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. After serving for twenty-one years in the Florida Army National Guard and Navy, Wilson resigned his commission in October 2022. He considered the vaccine mandate illegal and didn’t want to be part of an organization that issued unlawful orders. Witnessing fellow officers prioritize their careers and income over defending the Constitution further solidified Wilson’s decision to discourage his four children from joining the military. He expressed disappointment in the military’s failure to uphold individual liberty and promote critical thinking.
Wilson cautioned individuals to be wary of having faith in the current military leadership and highlighted the absence of a political savior capable of effecting change. He couldn’t endorse the military that conformed to the woke ideology and promoted behavior that contradicted his values. He concluded by expressing concern about the military’s ability to defend the nation in intense conflicts if it continued down its current path.
Stephen Simmons, who served in the Marine Corps for over 17 years, also felt disillusioned with military leadership. He cited the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and the purge of service members with religious and medical objections to the COVID-19 vaccine as key factors in losing trust and confidence in military leadership. Simmons lamented the violation of conscience resulting from the vaccine mandate and its negative impact on recruiting and retention. He urged political and military leaders to take proactive steps to amend these damages.
As someone knowledgeable about military retention, Simmons understood the challenges of recruiting and retaining personnel. He stressed that until political and military leaders addressed the damage caused by the vaccine mandate and took action to repair it, the effects on recruiting and retention would persist.
The concerns raised by these military service members shed light on the erosion of trust and confidence in military leadership. Their experiences with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and the prioritization of certain cultural policies have led them to dissuade their children from joining the military. This presents a difficult decision for families with a longstanding military legacy, as they question the values and integrity of the institution they once revered.
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