The nation's highest-ranking military officer in the armed forces is urging U.S. troops not to "politicize" the military during the presidential election.
In an article in the July issue of
Joint Force Quarterly, a military academic journal,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford notes "extra vigilance is required during any political transition."
The blunt reminder comes as
surveys of the military show GOP presumptive nominee Donald Trump favored over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
"First, we must recognize that we have one Commander in Chief, and until authority is transferred on January 20, 2017, the Joint Force must remain clearly focused on and responsive to the existing National Command Authority," he writes.
"Second, the Joint Force must conduct itself in such a way that the new administration has confidence that it will be served by a professional, competent, and apolitical military."
And while Dunford writes "every member of the Joint Force has the right to exercise his or her civic duty… What we must collectively guard against is allowing our institution to become politicized, or even perceived as being politicized, by how we conduct ourselves during engagements with the media, the public, or in open or social forums."
"We are living in the most volatile and complex security environment since World War II," Dunford argues. "Whether confronting violent extremist organizations seeking to destroy our way of life or dealing with state actors threatening international order, threats to our national security require a Joint Force that is ready, capable, and trusted."
"To that end, I have a duty to protect the integrity and political neutrality of our military profession. But this obligation is not mine alone. It belongs to every soldier, marine, sailor, airman, and coastguardsman," he concludes.
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