As a candidate for the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Association of Graduates (AOG) Board of Directors, many graduates who intend to vote in next month’s election have asked me, “If you were an AOG Board member, how would you answer the question, ‘Does the majority of the AOG Board think the January 6 attack on the Nation’s Capital was justified?’”
I cannot speak for the AOG Board, but I have a clear and unequivocal answer to the question of whether the attack was justified. Absolutely not! I’ll explain below.
I agree with our leadership and am proud of their stance: General Mark. A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; General John E. Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force; General James C. McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army; Admiral Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations; General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps; General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force; General Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau; and General John W. Raymond, Chief of Space Operations.
Each of these leaders signed a collaborative letter dated January 13, 2021, in which they all were unified in their answer as no.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) wrote: “The violent riot in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, was a direct assault on the U.S. Congress, the Capitol building, and our Constitutional process”.
My personal beliefs align with our leadership. I think yours should too.
The JCS wrote: “We witnessed actions inside the Capitol building that were inconsistent with the rule of law.”
Again, I support the guidance of our active senior Air Force leaders. Our principles as officers are to uphold the law under our oath of office to which we pledge.
The JCS wrote: “The rights of freedom of speech and assembly do not give anyone the right to resort to violence, sedition and insurrection.”
I deeply value my freedom and want to gather with my brothers and sisters to share our combined values with others. This is one reason I have pledged my life to actively protect these rights as a graduating officer.
The JCS wrote: “Any act to disrupt the Constitutional process is not only against our traditions, values, and oath; it is against the law.”
The law is what binds our society together and prevents unlawful chaos. We have a continued allegiance to swear upon our oath under the authority of Congress, as we evolve in the ranks, binding us to our responsibilities to protect and defend the Constitution as officers. In that, we reaffirm our allegiance to protecting the values and principles of our Nation.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff were united and clear in their aligned answer. Now, I hope all AOG members know where I stand. I stand with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I stand with the oath I took as a graduating cadet. I stand with the oath I swear by today, and the oath I will continue to protect as a proud member of the AOG.
In light of the serious issues outlined above, I encourage my peer candidates to let all AOG members know where they stand on the question, as I have done.
As AOG members yourselves, as my brothers and sisters at arms, please consider the major impact of the candidates petitioning to serve on the AOG board. Our members deserve to know, in no uncertain terms, each candidate’s position before each of you place your votes. Of the AOG Board member candidates, I am aligned with the values of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I’m confident you are too.
I know my USAFA brothers and sisters will rally behind me. I hope you pass these words on to help me further our cause to protect the foundation of our nation and the institution we are so proud to call ours.