Over the last two years I’ve had numerous arguments with people regarding commanders being relieved when an event occurs within their unit. I’ve argued, in some instances, that it wasn’t their fault and they simply inherited a climate from years of previously toxic and complacent commanders. I’m always told the same thing: “when you’re in command, the buck stops with you. Whether it was their fault or not, they own the responsibility. They were in the seat.”

Yet what we saw two years ago wasn’t an inheritance. Decisions needed to be made on the ground, in real time, and the wrong orders were given. This isn’t armchair quarterbacking two years after the fact. We screamed about it at the time. We knew AT LEAST 24 hours in advance that a significant event was being planned outside the gates, and we knew hours in advance which gate it would be and what, precisely, would happen. Yet no action was taken. Those troops weren’t moved inside the perimeter. Weak, afraid to make the wrong call, commanders did nothing, and these Marines, Soldiers and Sailors paid the price for it.

I could write a book about the numerous, OTHER, poor decisions that occurred, such as allowing state to command a military operation while abandoning hundreds of US citizens in country, but I don’t want to distract too much from the main point; the commanding generals in charge of the Afghanistan evacuation failed in their duties yet were promoted nonetheless.

I argue that the NUMBER 1 reason why recruiting is failing is because of what took place two years ago and the lack of accountability that followed. Both old and young men alike can discern what failed leadership looks like. No one wants to be a part of an organization that rewards the failures of leaders who hold the lives of those serving under them in their hands.

DISCLAIMER: I didn’t make these slides, but I wholeheartedly endorse them.