Should the Military Be Used for Protests?

Wow… what a month it has been! And we are barely half over. The biggest topics we have been facing is the use of force by police, and if the military should be used on peaceful protesters. I understand that many want the military to be used when there is looting and destruction going on, but does that fit into the constitutional scope for the use of the military? Will the use of the military create the same type of issue between US citizens and the military like it has with the police? The feelings are mixed. From the veterans I have talked to many feel the streets of America is no place for military troops to display force. The Constitution says, States retain the primary responsibility and authority to provide for civil order and the protection of their citizens’ lives and property, not the federal government. This is the overreach that many armed militias have been railing against for years. They should be out protecting the peaceful protesters and protecting their constitutional rights to protest, especially if the military is used. There are certain instances where I feel the military should be used, but they are limited to natural disasters where the military has the resources to save lives.

It appears when the topic of police brutality and the use of the military is brought up everybody digs in an chooses a side. It appears to me that there is common ground for us to discuss. Police are killing people for minor offenses, and it appears this is increasing. The use of force by police is not limited to minorities, but it appears that minorities are taking the brunt of the abuse. I feel we should all agree that the police need more training in utilizing non-lethal weapons and de-escalation. Shooting someone who is running away is not cause for a death sentence, so why are they shooting and killing them. Why are they pulling folks out of police cars once they are cuffed in their patrol car and killing them? If the police would stop using unnecessary deadly force, there would not be a question about the use or the military to police their own citizens.

Generally, the US military is not trained to police the streets of our country. Yes, there are the military police who have some training but are not trained in the use of nonlethal force the way the police are supposed to be. I understand that police officers are in fear for their life at times, so are military members in war zones, but that is their job. But the police are doing some jobs they are not trained to do. Dealing with homeless folks, many with mental disorders, and drug abuse calls is not in their scope. Police should not be called out to deal with these situations. This should be dealt with by someone with a social services background who knows how to handle drug use and mental disorders. Police should not be called in for child abuse cases, that should also be social services. Calling 9-11 should offer several options including social services folks and drug abuse counselors. If the other options, social services or drug and alcohol counselors need police they can call them. This is not the job for military folks either and their use is prohibited by the constitution.

What many folks have feared has started to come true in many situations. Police have started using the surplus military equipment that they received on their own citizens. This equipment was supposed to be used to fight terrorism and has been turned on the public. Police tactics have gone from fire truck shooting water, dogs, and tear gas to using armored vehicles, rubber bullets, tasers, and military tactics. I know some are going disagree with me and that is OK. Discussing this topic is important. It is way more complicated then it appears on the outside. History has proven that bringing in the military to handle a domestic situation has trouble written all over it.

Many military members are uncomfortable being used on American streets. My guess is the use of military members to combat peaceful protesters will do the same thing to our military that is happening the police force, the loss of respect and trust from our citizens. It is possible folks would leave the military because it is not what they signed up for. The generals in the military who make the decisions to follow the constitution or the President might have to fall on their sword. It appears some generals have decided that the use of military folks when dealing with domestic situations are unconstitutional and pushing back. As a veteran myself, I am concerned we are moving away from our constitutional purpose. The use of military on the streets of the US for this purpose does not fit that constitutional threshold.