Do you believe the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may have committed career suicide by contradicting President Obama?

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:51:30 -0500

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/261644-general-we-have-not-contained-isis

The United States has "not contained" the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the nation's top military officer said Tuesday, contradicting President Obama's remarks last month about the terror group.

"We have not contained" ISIS, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmakers at a House Armed Services Committee hearing.

The comment runs counter to what the president said days before ISIS launched a string of attacks across Paris.
"I don't think they're gaining strength. What is true is that from the start, our goal has been first to contain, and we have contained them," Obama told ABC News.

Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communication, later said the president's remarks applied specifically to Iraq and Syria.

Dunford said ISIS has been "tactically" contained in areas they have been since 2010 but added, "Strategically they have spread since 2010."

His remarks were in response to questioning by Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) on whether ISIS has been contained at any time since 2010.

Dunford added that ISIS posed a threat beyond Iraq and Syria to countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon and Jordan.

Forbes also got Dunford to disagree with Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who testified alongside him.

Carter had declared during his opening statement that "we're at war" with ISIS.

Forbes pressed Dunford whether the U.S. was at war with ISIS, and who declared that war.

"We are technically not at war," Dunford replied.

An academic report released Tuesday said that American support for radical Islamism has reached “unprecedented” levels.

“What we do see in the United States is an unprecedented mobilization” that is “bigger than any other mobilization we have seen since 9/11,” Lorenzo Vidino, the director of George Washington University’s program on extremism, said during an event releasing the report.

The report found that the types of Americans drawn to ISIS vary widely in terms of race, age, education and family background. Yet they are largely all united by their use of social media, which ISIS has been able to master as its reach has grown.

FBI Director James Comey has said that federal officials have launched ISIS-related investigations in all 50 states.

Obama, who is in Paris for talks on an international climate change agreement, has also used the trip to meet with world leaders about the threat from ISIS.

Joint Chiefs chairman: 'We have not contained' ISIS

Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford's comments run counter to what Obama said last month.

Response by PFC David Ryba made Dec 2 at 2015 7:53 AM

PFC David Ryba — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 07:53:32 -0500

Could be...We'll just have to wait and see.

Response by Maj Jeff Dodd made Dec 2 at 2015 8:00 AM

Maj Jeff Dodd — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:00:46 -0500

I'm not sure a 4 star general can commit career suicide. Where else is he going to go rank and position wise? He can't be fired for doing his primary job which is to provide professional military advice to the President and his decision makers. I think General Dunford is doing just that. Things in the battle space change quickly and he was responding to a direct question at a congressional hearing (under oath) so he cannot lie. Many others in the executive branch don't have that much honesty and integrity.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 8:02 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:02:31 -0500

Or he just trying to do his job and fulfill his oath :P.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Dec 2 at 2015 8:07 AM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:07:12 -0500

Joe Dunford was my regimental commander. He will tell it as it is, and that is his job. I'm very glad to see him in the Chairman's role.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 2 at 2015 8:11 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:11:24 -0500

At this point, there is no more promotions he can get, either by rank or billet. The only thing that can happen is that he can get relieved (fired), however this is a Senate Confirmed position. He is literally the Subject Matter Expert when it comes to military affairs. He has no obligation to "tow party line" especially as the Military is NOT part of the Executive Branch. We are OPCON/ADCON to it, however we have Constitutional Obligations to BOTH the Executive & Legislature.

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Dec 2 at 2015 8:44 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 08:44:54 -0500

Worse case he will be forced to retire and for him that would be one Hellva retirement check!

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Dec 2 at 2015 9:43 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:43:39 -0500

No, He didn't directly call out the President as lying (despite how the press is spinning it), instead he told the truth as he knows it. This might even provide the administration cover for the containment issue in the future. At this point in the President's lame duck administration, they'll probably just ignore it. Although the General may not be invited to any more of the President's golf, basketball, and beer weekends at Camp David.

The real question is: does anyone in this administration (other than Gen Dunford) know the difference between the words "Tactical and Strategic"? I doubt it.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Dec 2 at 2015 9:43 AM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:43:48 -0500

A few thoughts:
- The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is a terminal position. All who have held the position have retired from the position (that I am aware of).
- The Chairman's (and every military person's) first loyalty is to the Constitution and not to POTUS.
- The job of the Chairman is to provide his military expertise and advice to POTUS. Sounds to me like he is doing just that.
- The job of the Chairman is also to support POTUS militarily. It is NOT his job to support POTUS politically. If POTUS wants to alter or spin facts on the ground to suit his political purposes then he can do that.
- The Chairman serves at the pleasure of the President. These are nice words that mean the Chairman can be fired (or asked to resign) at any time for any reason.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Dec 2 at 2015 9:51 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:51:55 -0500

He would have had his comments been opposite of the president's view about the enemy that is "climate change".

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Dec 2 at 2015 9:57 AM

SSG Todd Halverson — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:57:29 -0500

Being a 4 star in the Military, there are few things he can do that would be career suicide. He is at the apex of his career. The only place he could go would to receive a 5th star, not likely to happen. Really, once they have served as CJCS, they retire from the Military.
He could be fired or asked to resign by the POTUS. Not likely, but could eventually happen. The POTUS has helped many senior Military personnel leave the service and I would not put it pass him to try and get Gen. Dunford to retire sooner than later. The POTUS prefers to have yes men instead of rational thinkers with their own opinion or ideas.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Dec 2 at 2015 9:58 AM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:58:27 -0500

No.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 10:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:30:06 -0500

For a man that has a history of telling the truth no matter who gets butthurt, something tells me he isn't really going to care about career suicide as long as he gets the message across and heard and saves lives.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 2 at 2015 10:41 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:41:48 -0500

I certainly hope that Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford will continue to serve as CJCS SSgt Alex Robinson. POTUS Obama has far too many yes men and women as advisors hopefully he will recognize the wisdom in realistic appraisals of his policy and operational proposals.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 10:55 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 10:55:23 -0500

I imagine that General Dunford will get a phone call, but his obligation is to give an unvarnished assessment.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 2 at 2015 11:05 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:05:17 -0500

Its a good thing he was just confirmed, or he would be shown the door. Now it will be an interesting trip to the woodshed. I really like this guy.

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Dec 2 at 2015 11:14 AM

LTJG Robert M. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:14:09 -0500

I think the recent track record of potus is demonstrating exactly that, anyone who disagrees or contradicts him is relieved and replaced with Yes People.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 11:40 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 11:40:09 -0500

He might have but the problem is that the president shouldn't have made that statement in the first place. It put the Chairman of the JCS in a tough position of continuing to say something he didn't believe was true, or to be honest. I think he chose the "right" path but he may suffer from it.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 2 at 2015 12:43 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:43:52 -0500

I don't believe so. His job is to provide the President with honest, informed information. If the President doesn't follow the advice given to him, that's on him. Career wise, the General has topped out and after this assignment the only option is retirement. So technically, he has no further military career to effect. But I think that he may get privately rebuked, but that is all.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 2 at 2015 12:47 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 12:47:46 -0500

I give him credit for being honest.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 2 at 2015 1:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 13:47:34 -0500

The military espouse truth and be the keeper of the nations values.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Dec 2 at 2015 2:03 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:03:03 -0500

I sat across the table and briefed Gen Dunford back in 2013 on the status of training for the Afghan Air Force at the time. We recommended three more years to complete our work to which he agreed was the right amount of time. Not only did he agree, he had very thoughtful insight into our perspectives, noting the ongoing progress and what was still required. You could tell he understood what we were talking about and he was also well versed on the issues. Unfortunately, the President pull the rug from under him and cut our mission short by a two years. I'm getting first hand accounts from the Afghans I knew out there how bad things are becoming. I know I can trust Gen Dunford's assessment when he tells us ISIS is not contained. But it really didn't take his assessment to know that. It was already pretty obvious, despite the President's efforts to say otherwise, starting with the first point the American people were learning about ISIS and how they were the JV team. This President has been so wrong on so many fronts when it comes to his foreign policy, most especially in the CENTCOM region. I'm becoming impatient for Jan 2017.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 2 at 2015 3:58 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 15:58:02 -0500

Another thought occurred to me. Where is the JCS Chair's next step in his career?

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 2 at 2015 4:43 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 16:43:16 -0500

See, this is what I like about Marine leadership...they call it as they see it. I will bet he didn't get where he is by going along to get along! I can assure you that before he was assigned this role, he was vetted thoroughly and they knew who he was, a straight shooter. His job isn't to paint the world through democratic or republican eyes...his role is to advise the president on military actions for the situation at hand, strategies and capabilities, and to advise the POTUS on the safety and well being of all personnel in the DoD. He does serve at the pleasure of the president and he knew that going in. I hope he always sticks to his guns and doesn't call a baby pretty when it ain't...call it ugly and move on and that is what he is doing. HOOOORRRAAHHH

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 2 at 2015 6:45 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 18:45:39 -0500

General Dunford was under oath and required to tell the truth or risk a charge later of perjury, obstruction etc. He told the truth as he knows it and could do little else. When the president says things at an open mic he is not under oath. The truth hurts, it hurts more when people 10 times as smart as you contradict you in public. He would likely rather be asked to resign than put his integrity at risk.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Dec 2 at 2015 7:45 PM

Cpl Mark McMiller — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 19:45:30 -0500

Semper Fidelis = Always Faithful. That's means always faithful to the American people; not necessarily to a lying President.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 8:36 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 20:36:16 -0500

Barring an an all out war, which I am sure he does not want, he has reached the very top. How could his career be killed.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 3:18 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 03:18:35 -0500

No. President Trump will keep him on staff.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 3:52 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 15:52:15 -0500

It's definitely not career suicide. It's more just doing his job and being himself. It's what his reputation has been as a Marine and continues to be. Good on him.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Dec 3 at 2015 8:15 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:15:22 -0500

Perhaps so, but he can look himself in the mirror in the morning

Response by SSgt James Cottrell made Dec 9 at 2015 5:05 PM

SSgt James Cottrell — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 17:05:44 -0500

Not working for this administration would be like a dream R&R.