Lt Col. Matthew Lohmeier, commander of 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, was relieved from his duties because of a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, as Oriana Pawlyk with Military.com reported on Saturday. By Sunday afternoon, "Space Force" was trending on Twitter, as was "Marxism."
BREAKING: Space Force is trending as US Space Force fires whistleblower commander who spoke out against Marxism and Critical Race Theory
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 16, 2021
It’s outrageous that Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier was removed from his command in the Space Force for voicing concerns that the U.S. military is promoting Marxist ideologies. https://t.co/U57u2zAwVk
— Rep. Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) May 16, 2021
I spent much of my Air Force career fighting communism. Now, our guys can’t even write about. This is outrageous.
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) May 16, 2021
Space Force officer relieved of post after denouncing Marxist ideology and critical race theory in military: Report | Washington Examiner https://t.co/DmhLIvjLDs
Comply, or else.
— Amy Tarkanian (@MrsT106) May 16, 2021
-Government
Space Force CO Who Got Holiday Call from Trump Fired Over Comments Decrying Marxism in the Military https://t.co/iMp3LozOPE
The space force created against Marxism fires Commander for speaking against Marxism
— mike (bears optimist) (@mikestevlic) May 16, 2021
What has this world become
The military purge is happening!
— Rachel Campos-Duffy (@RCamposDuffy) May 16, 2021
US Space Force making example out of officer who denounced Marxism & critical race theory in military. Says conservatives are being labeled “extremists”. Defense Sec Austin MUST be brought before Congress to explain! https://t.co/4YyfmJvWHl
The reason for Lohmeier's ousting "was based on public comments made by Lt. Col. Lohmeier in a recent podcast," a Space Force spokesperson said in an email to Military.com. The email also referenced Lt. Gen Stephen Whiting, the head of Space Operations Command, who relieved Lohmeier of his duties. "Lt. Gen. Whiting has initiated a Command Directed Investigation on whether these comments constituted prohibited partisan political activity."
Lohmeier had self-published a book, "Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest and the Unmaking of the American Military," which the military was aware of:
As an active duty military member, Lohmeier retains the freedom of speech on his own time. He may publish books. Books authored by military members may or may not be subject to review by the military depending on their content. He told Military.com that the military was aware he was publishing this book.
“I was apprised of the option to have my book reviewed at the Pentagon’s prepublication and security review prior to release, but was also informed that it was not required,” Lohmeier told Military.com in an email.
...
Lohmeier told Military.com he had consulted with his chain of command, public affairs and legal counsel about his plans to publish a book and its contents.
"I was apprised of the option to have my book reviewed at the Pentagon's prepublication and security review prior to release, but was also informed that it was not required," Lohmeier said in an email.
"My intent never has been to engage in partisan politics. I have written a book about a particular political ideology (Marxism) in the hope that our Defense Department might return to being politically non-partisan in the future as it has honorably done throughout history," he said.
Pawlyk reported about his comments made on the podcast:
Lohmeier sat down last week with L. Todd Wood of the podcast "Information Operation," hosted by Creative Destruction, or CD, Media, to promote the book. He spoke about U.S. institutions, including universities, media and federal agencies including the military, that he said are increasingly adopting leftist practices. These practices -- such as diversity and inclusion training -- are the systemic cause for the divisive climate across America today, he said.
From his perspective as a commander, Lohmeier said he didn't seek to criticize any particular senior leader or publicly identify troops within the book. Rather, he said, he focused on the policies service members now have to adhere to to align with certain agendas "that are now affecting our culture."
...
In the "Information Operation" podcast, Lohmeier said his fascination with Marxism began after that, when he was pursuing his second master's degree in philosophy in military strategy at Air University's School of Advanced Air and Space Studies.
"All my interactions with senior leaders in the Air Force and in the Space Force have been very positive; they care a great deal about their people [and] the lethality of the force," Lohmeier said during the 34-minute interview.
However, leaders may be afraid if they don't get on board with diversity training, they will face scrutiny, "or might not get promoted," he said, adding that liberal ideas are welcomed whereas ideas from more conservative voices are criticized or silenced.
In addition to expressing concerns with Marxism "narratives," he dared to refer to the 1619 Project as "anti-American," CNN reported.
When it comes to concerns about confidence in ability to lead, many others must also be highlighted.
Matt reported on the Pentagon's first diversity and inclusion chief, Richard Torres-Estrada. Just days after his position was announced, Torres-Estrada was reassigned, as his social media posts likened former President Donald Trump to Nazis.
USSOCOM welcomes our new Chief of Diversity & Inclusion, Mr. Richard Torres-Estrada. We look forward to his contribution in enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of #SOF through diversity of talent, helping us recruit the best of the best. #QuietProfessionals pic.twitter.com/Z6aJnz91mx
— USSOCOM (@USSOCOM) March 25, 2021
If you want to know about a real waste of time though to do with the military's priorities, recall how Tucker Carlson dared to take issue with the military's preoccupation with diversity in the military. Well, the Department of Defense launched this whole offensive, against Tucker, from official military channels.
"I want to be very clear right up front, that the diversity of our military is one of our greatest strengths.... What we absolutely won't do is take personnel advice from a talk show host or the Chinese military.” -@PentagonPresSec https://t.co/cQooUm529d
— Navy Chief of Information (@chinfo) March 12, 2021
As of Sunday afternoon, Lohmeier's book is "temporarily sold out" on Amazon. It is ranked as #1 best seller in "Communism & Socialism" and in "Military Policy." It is also #6 overall, and seems to have been climbing the site's best seller list in a matter of hours as it trends.
His whistleblower book is now a #1 Best Seller in multiple categorieshttps://t.co/TWo9yvoqEF https://t.co/NOcX8RKTEg
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 16, 2021
Space Force Whistleblower just hit #6 on all of Amazon!!
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 16, 2021
Let’s KEEP it UP ??????
To the MOON!! https://t.co/DFEE6ThNBc pic.twitter.com/GnyT7TRaGr
BREAKING: Space Force Whistleblower’s book just hit #14 bestseller on all of Amazon - Wow!
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 16, 2021
???? Keep ???? It ???? Up ???? https://t.co/mPXNhe5veh pic.twitter.com/Tm5tT0PK0Y
Join the conversation as a VIP Member