MISFIRE: Harvard is wrong to honor Chelsea Manning

Put your feelings about the transgender debate aside, and consider this fact: Chelsea Manning was convicted for leaking classified documents. She spent years in prison (until Obama commuted her sentence) and she is considered by many, many Americans to be a traitor.

So why has Harvard University chosen to honor Manning by naming her a visiting fellow for the John F. Kennedy Center? Harvard officials say Manning will provide perspective on issues of LGBTQ identity in the military.

OK, so why not consider an actual service member who isn’t a noted traitor. Staff Sgt. Logan Ireland immediately comes to mind. Or former Navy SEAL Kristin Beck, the subject of the documentary “Lady Valor.” Anybody who hasn’t committed military crimes, mmmkay? 

Harvard, who also tapped Sean Spicer for this visiting fellow gig, seems to care more about eye-catching names and less about real debate.

More In Medals & Misfires

MEDAL: Underwater discoveries help us remember history, honor the fallen

The crew of the Research Vessel Petrel, led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is on a roll.

MISFIRE: DoD shouldn’t have waited so long to approve danger pay for troops in Niger

The Defense Department on March 8 announced that troops deployed to Niger, Mali and northern Cameroon qualify to receive imminent danger pay/hostile fire pay, retroactive to June 7, 2017.

MEDAL: Marine Corps fitness test offers smart alternative to running

The other services should pay attention.

MISFIRE: California teacher’s military tirade is just plain vile

The daggers flew this weekend when a disparaging military rant by a California high school teacher went viral.

MISFIRE: Airman’s trumpet-sounding ignorance on Facebook makes everyone look bad

A technical sergeant from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada came under fire recently after she shared a racially-charged, expletive-laced rant to Facebook.

In Other News

House wants troops to chow down bison meat bought from native tribes

The House version of the annual defense bill would have DOD purchase two million pounds of bison meat annually.

Sailors, Marines reporting sexual assault will not be punished for related ‘minor misconduct’

Collateral misconduct by the victim is one of the most significant barriers to reporting a sexual assault, said Andrea Goldstein, the Navy Department’s assistant director for force resiliency.

Little guidance for troops, dependents who may need to end a pregnancy post-Roe

The Pentagon's current message is "business as usual."

The Marine Corps is looking to its Reserve for new support

Historically a mirror version of the active-duty side, reservists are taking the lead in some areas

How volunteers can help defeat great powers

"It was clear from the onset and confirmed throughout our visit that volunteers played a critical role in the defense of Kyiv, yet their role has not been systematically studied."

Load More