Marine Corps doctrine is well outlined through a series of publications. MCDP 1 "Warfighting" stands as a cornerstone to Marine Corps doctrine and is stated in their forward,
"It has had a significant impact both inside and outside the Marine Corps. That manual has changed the way Marines think about warfare. It has caused energetic debate and has been translated into several foreign languages, issued by foreign militaries, and published commercially. Ithas strongly influenced the development of doctrine by our sister Services."
Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was relieved of his command after posting a video on private social media channels where he demanded "accountability" over issues in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Scheller himself even states “I’m not saying we’ve got to be in Afghanistan forever, but I am saying: Did any of you throw your rank on the table and say, ‘Hey, it’s a bad idea to evacuate Bagram Airfield, a strategic airbase, before we evacuate everyone’? Did anyone do that?” Contradictions in U.S. military policy begin here.
The UCMJ is the law for conduct in the U.S. armed forces and covers topics in conduct extensively. Scheller was even aware of his actions and stated he was willing "to throw it all away." He acknowledged concerns from his fellow Marines about where this would go. Scheller and his closest circles knew what he was doing and the consequences for his actions.
Here is where Marine Corps doctrine steps in. Looking back at "Warfighting," Chapter 3 describes the Professionalism in warfare and specifically outlines that "Abolishing “zero defects” means that we do not stifle boldness or initiative through the threat of punishment." (Found in the attached PDF or here). Marine Corps doctrine states the necessity for all Marines, not just officers, to show boldness and initiative. It even goes so far as to state the necessity for boldness and initiative to be tempered to protect from rashness.
Further, "Warfighting" states, "Not only must we not stifle boldness or initiative, but we must
continue to encourage both traits in spite of mistakes. On the other hand, we should deal severely with errors of inaction or timidity." This contradiction between military justice and Marine Corps doctrine is shocking in that all Marines are taught to act with a degree of their own judgement but still remain under threat of discipline for that judgement. This creates a situation that Marine Corps doctrine expressly intends to mitigate, inaction.
Lt. Col. Scheller acted at his own discretion in that moment, and he was aware of the consequences of his actions. We must look at this through the lens he had been. These publications are numerous and in depth with "Warfighting" being one of many. And as an officer educated at the University of Cincinnati with a decorated service record including Meritorious Service and the Bronze Star, his education and his dedication to service led him to the choices he has made. Marine Corps doctrine states that we should consider his decisions and counsel on how they should have been made in addition to why they were made.
Currently, Scheller has resigned his commission effective Sept. 11th, 2021 as the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan draws to a close. However, as we have seen in the past weeks, ISIS has begun operations in Afghanistan, the Taliban is in control, and the U.S. has left military assets in Afghanistan. There are many questions that do need to be answered.
What we do know is limited and possibly will clear up in the coming weeks. Scheller even made some comments on his previous involvement in the unit currently stationed there. Scheller further stated that someone he had "a close relationship" with was caught in the bombing. He expands by saying he will not elaborate because families were still being notified. Scheller has had clear experience in Afghanistan especially having been an infantry officer and is well aware of the circumstances. His concerns shouldn't be so readily dismissed.
In an op-ed article from the Washington Post, James Hohmann draws concern to trends about civilian-military relations. He opens about the necessity for the armed forces to act at the President's discretion so long as orders are lawful. Hohmann's concern is driven by what he calls a "dangerous strain of thought inside the military" over this relationship. Hohmann creates a picture about "contempt" shown by Scheller while in uniform. Hohmann continues on by citing Scheller's desire to "bring the whole f---ing system down." Hohmann condemns these sentiments as "alarming as they are out of line" and goes on to criticize the former President Donald Trump for an evacuation he had little to do with posing the situation as if the current President Joe Biden was stuck following the orders laid out prior to his administration. Hohmann hails Scheller as a martyr for the right for the wrong reasons. Afghanistan had issues during the U.S. withdrawal that no one has denied and many have paid the price for it. Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was one of few who willingly stepped over the line to ask for answers. He should not be so easily dismissed.
God bless America. God bless the Marine Corps. And God Bless the men and women who serve our country.
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