After nearly four decades of military service, Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., retired from the Army National Guard in 2019 as a brigadier general after 39 years of service. Perry cited a shift towards progressivism in the military as a reason for his retirement. He expressed concerns about policies such as gender reassignment and the focus on issues like 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' sexual harassment, and equal opportunity, which he felt detracted from the military's core mission of lethality and readiness.
Perry, a former fighter pilot who had commanded units in deployments to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iraq, highlighted recruitment challenges that have led to the smallest U.S. fighting force since before World War II. He mentioned that many members were leaving the military due to a perceived misalignment of values.
The congressman criticized the military's spending practices, pointing out instances of wasteful expenditure on equipment and systems that fail to deliver results. He raised concerns about the readiness of the F-35 jets and questioned the cost-effectiveness of certain military operations.
Perry also expressed frustration with the lack of accountability in military leadership regarding budget management and operational efficiency. He called for a reevaluation of spending priorities and a more strategic approach to resource allocation.
In response to the ongoing budget discussions in Congress, Perry urged military leaders to address issues of readiness and effectiveness rather than focusing solely on budget increases. He emphasized the need for a more transparent and responsible approach to military funding to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.
