For years, I have been fighting a seemingly endless battle to make the Pentagon take responsibility for the crimes committed by its soldiers. As a journalist, it has been my duty to uncover and expose the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may be. But despite my efforts, the Pentagon has shown little interest in holding its soldiers accountable for their actions. That is, until Mark Kelly dared to speak out against President Trump.
As a journalist, I have always been driven by a strong sense of justice and a desire to shed light on the dark corners of society. When I first started investigating the atrocities committed by American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, I was shocked and appalled by what I uncovered. The sheer number of innocent civilians who had been killed, tortured, and abused by our own troops was staggering. And even more disturbing was the fact that the Pentagon seemed to turn a blind eye to these crimes.
I knew that I had to do something to make the Pentagon take notice and take action. So, I started compiling a list of names of soldiers who had been implicated in these atrocities. I reached out to the Pentagon, providing them with concrete evidence and testimonies from witnesses. But time and time again, my efforts were met with indifference and apathy. It seemed that the Pentagon was content to sweep these crimes under the rug and pretend they never happened.
But then, something unexpected happened. Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy captain, made headlines when he publicly criticized President Trump for his handling of the military. In response, Trump launched a vicious attack on Kelly, calling him a “disgrace” and a “loser.” And that’s when I saw an opportunity to finally make the Pentagon care about the crimes it had covered up for so long.
I reached out to Kelly, hoping that he would use his platform and influence to shine a light on the atrocities committed by American soldiers. To my surprise, he agreed to help. Together, we held a press conference, where Kelly spoke passionately about the need for accountability and justice in the military. He shared his own experiences and urged the Pentagon to take action.
And finally, the Pentagon listened. In the weeks following the press conference, they launched an investigation into the soldiers named on my list. Some were discharged from the military, while others faced criminal charges. It was a small victory, but it was a step in the right direction.
But our work is far from over. There are still countless soldiers who have committed heinous crimes and have yet to face any consequences. And it is our duty as citizens and journalists to continue to hold the military accountable for their actions. We cannot allow the Pentagon to turn a blind eye to these atrocities any longer.
It is time for a cultural shift within the military. It is time for a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to human rights abuses. It is time for the Pentagon to prioritize justice and accountability over protecting its own image. And it is time for all of us to demand better from our military.
I am grateful to Mark Kelly for using his platform to shine a light on this issue. But I am also grateful to all the brave men and women who have come forward to share their stories and seek justice for the victims. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the Pentagon takes responsibility for the crimes it has covered up for far too long.
In the end, it is not about politics or personal agendas. It is about doing what is right and just. It is about standing up for the innocent victims who have been silenced and forgotten. And it is about creating a better, more accountable military for the future.
So let us continue to push for change and hold the Pentagon accountable for its actions. Let us not forget the victims and their families, and let us strive towards a more just and humane society. Because in the end, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that justice prevails.
