Small Wars Journal

Hagel Approval Rating Just 26 Percent Among National Security Workers, Troops

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 2:58am

Hagel Approval Rating Just 26 Percent Among National Security Workers, Troops by Gordon Lubold, Defense One

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has just a 26 percent approval rating among individuals currently serving within the national security community, according to findings from a new survey commissioned by Defense One.

The findings come as scrutiny on the Obama administration’s handling of the war in Iraq and Syria grows. At the same time, a variety of media reports hint that President Barack Obama, himself trailing in the polls after a poor showing for the Democrats in Tuesday’s election, is considering a shake-up of his national security staff. That could include Hagel…

Read on.

Comments

Wolverine57

Sat, 11/08/2014 - 9:58am

IMO Chuck Hagel's approval rating would be less than 26% if Vietnam Vets of the 2/47 Infantry were polled. At page 19 of the December 2012 Vietnam Magazine, Chuck Hagel states: "Tom and I walked point most of the time. We just thought we were a bit sharper than the other boys." Oh Really! In a 2002 Veterans History Project Interview, he characterized those he served with as going out on patrol drugged up or drunked up, a hindrance, and worthless to him. The Sergeants I knew would not put up with that BS. He stated he was not impressed with battalion leadership and had little confidence in the officer corps. He must have been playing to a different audience. I was in a different company and we had great field soldiers, NCOs, and officers. I was on my 3rd Deployment to Vietnam at the time and he does not speak for me. I have a 9th Division Old Reliable Newspaper from 1968 that indicates Chuck Hagel spent more time as a clerk or club manager in base camp than in the field. We all shared the same risks and most of us were never CLUB MANAGERS! He has been invited to our 47th Infantry reunions. He has not attended. It could also be that his embellished war stories won't hold up with some of us who were there at the same time and place. It is time for him to go. In fact, he should have never been confirmed to start with.