Protecting American Democracy: The Military’s Role
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Can our military help protect the future of American democracy? Get insights from a retired general.
The riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2020, and the deep partisan divide since then over what happened on that chaotic day and who should be held responsible, added to deep concerns about the future of American democracy.
After decades of service in the U.S. military, retired Brigadier General Steven Anderson decided to speak out about the threat of future insurrections and the possibility that a coup might succeed next time. “There is a significant threat being posed to our nation and our democracy,” he says.
While some of those arrested and charged in the attack were veterans or even active members of the military, General Anderson says America’s armed forces can play a constructive role in the future. In this episode of “Let’s Find Common Ground,” he says the Pentagon should order a civics review for all members—uniformed and civilian—on the U.S. Constitution and electoral integrity. We also discuss how the military can foster diversity and common ground.
Read the Episode Transcript
Ep 51 – Protecting American Democracy: The Military’s Role
Steven M. Anderson – Brigadier General, US Army (Retired)
Steven M. Anderson is a highly experienced logistician, environmental advocate, project manager, business developer and service-disabled military veteran, with over twenty years of service in challenging leadership positions in overseas operational environments and combat zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea and Libya.
Anderson retired in April 2010 after a 31-year career in the US Army that included logistics command and staff assignments all over the world and four tours in the Pentagon. His most notable military assignment was serving as the deputy chief of staff, Logistics for the Multi-National Force in Iraq for 15 months (Aug 06 – Nov 07), and he was the chief logistics architect of the Five Brigade Surge of 2007. From 2004-2006 he served as the senior logistics staff officer for US Forces in Korea. His final active duty assignment was Director of Army Logistics Operations & Readiness in the Pentagon.
Anderson is a 1978 graduate of the United States Military Academy and was awarded a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and Systems Analysis Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1987. A graduate of the US Army War College and the Marine Command and Staff College, his military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star. In November 2013, he was elected into the US Army Ordnance Hall of Fame.
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