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The Debate Over 'Illegal Orders' Misses the One Group That Can't Speak: Today's Troops -- military.com
https://www.military.com/feature/2025/11/26/debate-over-illegal-orders-misses-one-group-cant-speak-todays-troops.htmlThe national back-and-forth over what public leaders can or shouldn’t say about “illegal orders” has dominated headlines for days. A single video set off a cascade of political responses, counter-videos, legal commentary, and statements from retired leaders and veteran groups.
Everyone seems to have weighed in—except the people who actually live under the UCMJ.
Currently Serving Troops are the One Group You Don’t Hear From
Not because they’re disinterested. Not because they’re uninformed. But because they legally cannot enter the public debate.
And that silence matters far more than the political noise around it.
This article isn’t about which side is right or wrong. It’s about what isn’t being talked about: the impact on today’s highly trained, highly educated force—and the danger of others speaking for them while they bear all of the risk.
A Debate About Troops Without the Troops
Every voice in this controversy, from politicians to commentators, has an avenue by which they can talk about this. They can interpret the UCMJ, frame the discussion, and declare what they believe “the troops” think. As a retired military member, I certainly have my opinions on the matter.
. . .
Not because they’re disinterested. Not because they’re uninformed. But because they legally cannot enter the public debate.
And that silence matters far more than the political noise around it.
This article isn’t about which side is right or wrong. It’s about what isn’t being talked about: the impact on today’s highly trained, highly educated force—and the danger of others speaking for them while they bear all of the risk.
A Debate About Troops Without the Troops
Every voice in this controversy, from politicians to commentators, has an avenue by which they can talk about this. They can interpret the UCMJ, frame the discussion, and declare what they believe “the troops” think. As a retired military member, I certainly have my opinions on the matter.
. . .