Posted on Jul 23, 2020
Top Admiral in Pacific Defends Decision to Send Navy Carrier to Vietnam
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You know that even if that is correct you would think as POTUS stated out of abundance of caution knowing that it is a new virus that had an origin in China and that certain aspects about it's spread are unknown that all supplies to the ship as well as ports of call would be personally reviewed and screened by the Admiral and that he might apply a little precaution instead of saying that everyone stated it was OK.
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Thanks SSG Robert Mark Odom ! I think he defended his decision very well. I'm a little surprised that military.com would think he would even need to defend it.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
MCPO Roger Collins It's interesting how we perceive it so differently, because I respect your thoughts. So, we can evaluate the DECISION, or the result. Do we evaluate decisions based on the information available at the time of the decision, and in the moment's context, in light of the broad international coalition-building context...or do we wait long enough that the RESULTS of the decision become apparent in one way (COVID sickness) or another (Vietnam's movement away from China) that we are able to SAFELY Monday-morning quarterback? If you were a senior leader, how would you ever make a decision, if the only way it would be evaluated would be the second way? This is serious. Because if the 2nd way is the only way even military leaders can evaluate decisions...we should expect our senior military leaders to become very timid leaders indeed. They will wait...they will ask for more information...and then they will wait, and try to put a finger to the wind. Maybe take a poll to see what the troops think. Then they will wait. And we will all complain how terrible he was to never make a decision and take the chance that later Monday-morning quarterbacks will quibble, with the benefit of hindsight.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
SPC Erich Guenther - Are you sure you want to defend that parallel? Try it on me.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Col Joseph Lenertz Since I’m responding with my iPhone, my one finger typing limits my response. However, even though I understand the diplomatic benefits of the port call, we were deeply in trouble with Covid-19 and it was spreading through Vietnam and China quickly. Risk and reward comes in here, both Senior Officers chose to take the risk. Putting the Roosevelt out of commission endangered our ability to respond, if something happened needing air assets. I’m sure State Dept. encouraged this decision, but backed away later. The COs action subsequent to the action was sufficient for removal, IMO, but port calls should be carefully considered. And accountability for bad decisions. Back at you, I respect you and your opinions, we just differ on this event.
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