Photo courtesy of Sarah Sicard Note: Readers should fully read this article, as the narration and explanation will expand through the course of the article. Insinuations at the start are not necessarily conclusions at the end. Public Affairs responses are compiled at the end of the article. On January 6, 2021 there was a riot at the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.. That riot coincided with Presidential electoral votes being counted and debated by both chambers of Congress. It is estimated 20% of the participants of the riot were veterans, active duty, national guard, or reservists. That number stands in stark contrast to veteran makeup among the general population which sits at only 7% of the total U.S. population. Photo courtesy of dod.mil On January 22, 2021 retired Army Four-Star General Lloyd Austin was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 93-2 vote making him the first Black Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) in U.S. history. On February 5, 2021 SECDEF Austin issued a
One man's experience serving in the United States Air Force.