Once again, American troops may be drawn into a war that is not about our national defense; it’s no wonder we are having recruiting issues.  

Instead of trying to de-escalate the conflict, war-mongering politicians are talking about expanding the war with an attack on Iran. If they hunger so much for war, they should volunteer and be the first on the ground.  There is a recruiting shortage, after all. The requirements could always be adjusted to get them on the front lines.

During and after these wars, politicians and their families go on with their lives. Military members and their families, however, suffer indefinitely – through loss of loved ones and lifelong struggles with injuries, visible and invisible.  Even then, they are forced to fight with the very government that sent them off on these political wars for disability benefits. 

America must tread carefully. We are already complicit as we turn a blind eye to apartheid and oppression; now we are giving Israel the green light for ethnic cleansing and forced displacement. We cannot make it worse by being drawn directly into a war of death and destruction. It’s time for America to be a force for peace.  

Dennis Fritz, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Retired, is the Director of the Eisenhower Media Network and author of the book “Deadly Betrayal – The truth about why the United States invaded Iraq.”