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ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Critical race theory teaches that America and its institutions are systemically racist, and that some races are inherently oppressive and privileged while others are inherently oppressed and victimized (If critical race theory is correct, is America worth defending? Web, June 29). Which Americans will raise their hands and pledge an oath to support and defend our Constitution if theyre taught this document is inherently racist?

The military requires unit cohesion, high morale, good order and discipline and esprit de corps. After all, our troops face severe hardships during training, to say nothing of combat. Will we build or erode these key qualities of a strong fighting force if we teach young troops to see their battle buddies, as well as their sergeants and officers, first and foremost through the lens of race?

I served in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside soldiers of every race and background. We saw each other as fellow Americans and fellow soldiers, prepared to lay down our lives for each other and our country if necessary.

The recent extremism-in-the-ranks training was banal and, like so many other mandatory military trainings, it was a box easily checked. For those conservatives who feel that their views are suppressed, they can take comfort in the ubiquitous TV playing Fox News on a loop at so many military facilities. As for the chief of naval operationss reading list, I assure you that I continue the long tradition shared by many sailors of paying no heed to those recommendations.

Gen. Mark Milleys response at a recent congressional hearing was no doubt born out of a keen understanding that our military has many pressing issues and every breath wasted on the latest culture war is a distraction.

And that, let us recall, is the central mission of our military. If it ever fails, the consequences are not just, say, shareholder losses or more unemployable college graduates, but the eclipse of America by adversaries such as Communist China. Those are the stakes. Our military should stick to real wars, not culture wars.

BRIAN GOLDENFELD

Oak Park, Calif.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Military should stay out of culture wars - Washington Times