US Air Force LtCol Matthew Lohmeier became an almost overnight celebrity after he was fired from his command in the Space Force following a podcast interview in which he decried a rising Marxist/Critical Race Theory movement within the US military. (His profile has risen so fast that you can be sure Michael “Mikey” Weinstein is trying to figure out a way to hitch his cause to Lohmeier’s publicity.)

The former F-15 fighter pilot and T-38 flight instructor self-published a book titled “Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military” and was on a podcast show circuit promoting it:

Lohmeier sat down last week with L. Todd Wood of the podcast “Information Operation”… [and] spoke about U.S. institutions, including universities, media and federal agencies including the military, that he said are increasingly adopting leftist practices. These practices — such as diversity and inclusion training — are the systemic cause for the divisive climate across America today, he said…

Regarding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, he said, “I don’t demonize the man, but I want to make it clear to both him and every service member this [diversity and inclusion] agenda, it will divide us, it will not unify us.”

Lohmeier was removed by LtGen Stephen Whiting, the head of Space Operations Command, for the vague yet standard “loss of confidence in his ability to command.” Public Affairs also made a relatively rare additional statement, saying

Lt. Gen. Whiting has initiated a Command Directed Investigation on whether these comments constituted prohibited partisan political activity.

Administrative actions, particularly ongoing ones, are not normally publicized, though an exception may have been made due to Lohmeier’s status as a commander.

The idea that LtGen Whiting needs to conduct an investigation to determine if Lohmeier participated in partisan political activity may result in the loss of confidence in his ability to command. DoDI 1344.10 clearly defines partisan political activity as [emphasis added]

Activity supporting or relating to…issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties…

Nowhere does Lohmeier appear to have made any reference to Democrats or Republicans, at least not in the comments that got him fired. In other words, his comments weren’t partisan – which makes it seem like his command is going on a fishing expedition, rather than responding to a legitimate concern. The idea that the military could brand any issue in the public debate as “partisan politics” — and thus off limits for the public comment of US troops — is worrisome. Even if the CDI ultimately demonstrates the truth, the threat of such an investigation, as well as its conduct, can be used as tools to hinder an officer’s career.

For his part, Lohmeier seems comfortable in the maverick’s chair — and also the interview seat. He’s apparently an excommunicated Mormon, having been banned a few years ago after joining the Snuffer Remnant movement, which appears to be a breakaway sect of the LDS. He gave a podcast interview on that, too, in 2015. (That might provide some fodder for Weinstein…) If nothing else, his latest controversy seems to have lifted his book sales, at least on Amazon.

While the specific details of Lohmeier’s ideological viewpoints are probably explained in his book, it’s worth noting that a general paraphrase of his basic premise is true: The military risks swinging – or has already swung – hard into liberal politicization, including in its “diversity and inclusion” training and instruction. Or, to quote Tucker Carlson, the military is “going woke”, and this is not a good thing.

When the US military is more focused on the color of its troops’ skin than their ability to do their job, or making sure it has representation from groups with a variety of sexual behaviors rather than mission skill sets, its focus is clearly not on the mission. Lohmeier intimated that this social wokeness may be self-propagating. Military commanders may, either with the best of intentions or due to fear for their careers, propagate this ideology  even though it is ultimately harmful to the military and the Nation, and is an anathema to the US Constitution.

When it comes to this looming “social justice” movement that is being forced onto US military troops, the emperor has no clothes. US Air Force LtCol Matthew Lohmeier has now declared it for all to hear.

The only question is whether anyone will listen, or if Lohmeier’s accusations will be dismissed as “innocent prattle” so the procession may go on.

Also at the Washington Post and CNN.

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