Here's proof the Pentagon's obsession with 'lethality' has officially gone too far

[Judi Lynn]

JARED KELLER FEB 6, 2020 1:17 PM EST



Forest, a 96th Security Forces Squadron military working dog, exits a patrol car equipped with an automatic door opener Jan. 22, 2020, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The door opens automatically with a touch of a button on the handler's vest to allow the MWD to exit the vehicle by itself to assist its partner. (U.S. Air Force/2nd Lt. Karissa Rodriguez)


Ever since the Pentagon changed its mission statement from "provid the military forces needed to deter war" to "provid a lethal Joint Force to defend the security of our country," the entire U.S. military seems to have fallen in love with "lethality" — and not in a good way.

Lethality, on its face, is a fine benchmark to gauge the effectiveness of the U.S. military, one championed in the Pentagon lexicon by former Defense Secretary James Mattis during his tenure at the helm of America's fighting force. As Task & Purpose's Jeff Schogol previously wrote, the term "can be a useful rallying cry to focus the Defense Department's priorities" in an increasingly complicated world.

Every generation gets the euphemism for military force it deserves, and "lethality" is a fine one for the era of Great Power competition. But in recent years, the term has also become prone to abuse and misuse, applied to situations that have no direct relationship to combat whatsoever. To wit: this recent missive from the Air Force on how an automatic door-popping feature that allows base security forces to summon their dog as backup in a testy situation "adds lethality for K9 unit."

. . .

The Air Force is a master when it comes to the abuse of "lethality" in every goddamned public affairs release. Just consider this breathless release on "perfecting the human weapon system with healthy fueling," which posits that a balanced breakfast is key to ensuring that airmen are ready to kill at a moment's notice.

More:
https://taskandpurpose.com/analysis/the-pentagons-obsession-with-lethality-has-officially-gone-too-far

[exboyfil]

1. Written by a 2nd Lt.

Probably a press officer that just got her commission. Psychology grad from Maryland. Was enlisted as well for ten years or so. Her main job was Special Air Missions Flight Attendant Instructor when she was enlisted.