AWOL
The term is an acronym for Absent WithOut Leave. It applies to members of the U.S. Army; other branches have their own terms (e.g., Unauthorized Absence, or UA, for members of the US Navy and Marine Corps. It does not apply to civilian employees of the Defense Department, including the Secretary of Defense. The term is so well known that it is often used to describe anyone who absents him or herself from work without supervisor approval.
Lloyd Austin Plays Hookie
The Secretary of Defense chose to absent himself from work without informing his supervisor, the President of the United States, nor his fellow Cabinet Members. He had undergone an elective surgery procedure in 2023, and on January 1, 2024, returned to Walter Reed Army Hospital where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for pain. His office informed the public that he was working from home; no one informed the President of Secretary Austin’s absence and status.
The Secretary’s authorities and responsibilities had been transferred to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, who was on vacation in Puerto Rico. I assume that Deputy Hicks had with her the secure communications capability necessary to execute her duties. This has been blown out of proportion by conservative politicians and commentators; it has been hand-waved away by progressives and Democrats. The truth is likely between the two extremes, although closer to potential catastrophe than unimportance.
A Potential Catastrophic Scenario
There is only one scenario that would be catastrophic: A Presidential decision to launch a nuclear weapon. The procedure, whether a preemptive strike, a launch on warning, or a retaliatory strike, requires that the President first consult with the Secretary of Defense “and other military leaders,” before authorizing use of a nuclear weapon. Unfortunately, we are fighting two proxy wars with powers that have nuclear weapons, or allies with nuclear weapons: Ukraine with Russia, and Gaza with Iran and China. Of the two, the more dangerous is the conflict involving Iran. Iran has taken a religious position with regard to the conflict, which creates a flashpoint built of religious fervor and long-simmering hatred. Biden’s coddling of Iran has allowed it to sell $80 billion in oil by ceasing enforcement of export prohibitions put in place by Trump. That’s the source of money for Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Weakness Invites Aggression
Iran has sufficient nuclear material to build three nuclear devices, with more nuclear material being readied every day. In addition, Pakistan is a nuclear power, and on far friendlier terms with NATO member Turkey than Turkey is with the U.S. A first-use nuclear strike by Pakistan or Iran against Israeli or U.S. forces would force the President to consider a retaliatory strike. He could not get past step one in the procedure without his Secretary of Defense.
The level of incompetence displayed by this administration keeps hitting new highs.
God Bless America.
Update: Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer, underwent surgery requiring general anesthesia, and returned to the hospital by ambulance because of serious complications. Quite the little bouquet of dereliction of duty.
Thank you Bill for the clarification. I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that across the board “incompetence “ is the explanation for almost slip ups in this administration. And the bureaucracy is so deeply layered it’s impossible to identify where and who should(but is never) held responsible. I think the knee jerk conservative reaction is fueled by the legitimate argument that had been this been a misstep by a Republican administration, the media and Democrats would have gone full tilt boogie in record time screaming that the SOD resign and the POTUS be impeached for “threat to national security and dereliction of duty “ blah, blah, blah.... and at this point, I can safely say SSDD ...