[Salon] Ex-Army officer: Elitism, isolation have created dysfunctional Cult of Special Ops

Provocative new piece from Richard Hinman, retired Army officer and FSO who served in special ops units in several US conflicts since the 80's:

America’s post-9/11 conflicts have left indelible imprints on our society and our military. In some cases, these changes were so gradual that few noticed the change, except as snapshots in time.

This is the case with the “Cult of Special Operations Forces (SOF)” that has emerged since 2001, first within the military, and then with society through mass media including popular autobiographies and movies ranging from “Black Hawk Down,” “Lone Survivor” “American Sniper,” “SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden” and many, many others. The Cult has metastasized to many broader cultural accoutrements (video games, fashion, veteran culture, etc.).

As with other situations where we see friends proceeding down an untenable path together, America’s relationship with its special operators requires an intervention.

Please read in full at RS today: https://responsiblestatecraft.org/special-ops/

This is also the latest in a new Veterans' writers project at RS - if you or any vet you know is interested in writing op-eds, essays or reported pieces, please see here: https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-veterans/

best,

Kelley

Kelley Beaucar Vlahos

Editorial Director, Responsible Statecraft/Senior Advisor, Quincy Institute

Washington, D.C

703-470-3759

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/