The Vital Duty: Why Service Members and Veterans Must Speak Truth to Power

A recent article from the Marine Corps Compass Points newsletter, published on July 13, 2025, underscores this reality with a poignant reminder: veterans have a "duty to speak up"

In an era where military decisions can shape global outcomes and the lives of countless individuals, the voices of those who have served on the front lines carry unparalleled weight. A recent article from the Marine Corps Compass Points newsletter, published on July 13, 2025, underscores this reality with a poignant reminder: veterans have a "duty to speak up" about the state of the military.substack.com Titled "Compass Points - Duty to Speak," the piece emphasizes that while civilians without military experience can offer general support, it is the seasoned insights of veterans that provide essential guidance and course corrections. This call to action, contributed by reader Samuel Whittemore, resonates deeply in discussions about military readiness and reform, particularly within the U.S. Marine Corps community.

Summarizing the Compass Points Article

The article opens on a reflective note, fitting for a Sunday publication, thanking readers for their contributions to ongoing dialogues about strengthening the Marine Corps. It highlights the role of veterans in these conversations, asserting that their experiential knowledge is irreplaceable. Whittemore bolsters this argument with a series of quotes attributed to ancient Greek thinkers, purportedly collected via Grok (an AI tool), which stress the necessity of open discourse for national strength and security.substack.com

These quotes include:

• Plato: “We are twice armed if we fight with faith and truth, but to fight we must speak.”

• Aristotle: “The good citizen must speak out when the state’s safety is at stake, for silence is complicity in its ruin.”

• Socrates: “To know what is right and not speak it is the greatest cowardice, especially when soldiers’ lives depend on it.”

• Pericles: “The strength of our city lies not only in our arms but in the open discourse of our citizens.”

• Thucydides: “A nation’s power is judged by its readiness, and its citizens must question and ensure that its readiness endures.”

However, a closer examination reveals that these quotes appear to be paraphrased or inspirational adaptations rather than direct historical attributions. Searches for their origins trace similar phrasing back to another recent Compass Points piece, "Fearful of Debate?" from just days prior, suggesting they may be modern interpretations designed to evoke classical

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For instance, authentic Thucydides quotes, such as "The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools," emphasize intellectual-military integration but differ in wording.goodreads.com.

Regardless of their precise authenticity, the quotes serve a powerful rhetorical purpose: they frame speaking truth as an ancient civic virtue essential to military efficacy.

The article also includes reader comments that expand on its themes. One encourages reticent veterans to share opinions privately if not publicly, affirming that discourse about the Corps' future is "healthy and more robust than it may appear."substack.com Another details the newsletter's impressive reach—thousands of subscribers, up to 10,000 daily views, and an estimated 150,000 readers within 48 hours via forwards and reposts. Notably, active-duty Marines, journalists from outlets like the Wall Street Journal, and congressional analysts are among the audience, with repUBLICATIONS in Real Clear Defense amplifying its influence on Capitol Hill.substack.com This underscores how veteran-led platforms can drive real change.

Analyzing the Importance of Speaking Truth

The core message of "Duty to Speak" is not just inspirational—it's imperative. Service members and veterans possess unique, firsthand knowledge of operational realities, leadership challenges, and strategic shortcomings that outsiders simply cannot grasp. Silence in the face of issues like inadequate training, flawed doctrines, or resource misallocations can perpetuate inefficiencies, endanger lives, and weaken national defense. As Whittemore notes, civilians' support is valuable but limited; veterans must "step up" to offer "course corrections."substack.com

Historically, this duty has proven critical. Consider the post-Vietnam era, where veterans' candid critiques led to reforms in military strategy and veteran care. More recently, whistleblowers like those exposing issues in the Afghanistan withdrawal highlighted systemic failures, prompting congressional inquiries and policy shifts. In the Marine Corps context, ongoing debates about force design—such as divesting from heavy armor in favor of lighter, expeditionary capabilities—benefit immensely from veteran input to ensure decisions align with battlefield truths rather than bureaucratic inertia.

Speaking truth also combats complacency. Military hierarchies often prioritize unity and obedience, which can stifle dissent. Yet, as the adapted Socrates quote suggests, failing to voice known rights and wrongs is "the greatest cowardice," especially when lives are at stake.substack.com This is substantiated by studies on organizational silence in high-stakes environments, where unaddressed concerns lead to disasters like the Challenger shuttle explosion or military friendly-fire incidents. Veterans, free from active-duty constraints, are ideally positioned to break this cycle, fostering "broader thinking, deeper understanding, and better decisions" as Compass Points' tagline promises.substack.com

Moreover, in a polarized society, veteran voices lend credibility to military discussions. They bridge civilian-military divides, countering misinformation and ensuring public support is informed. The article's mention of Compass Points' broad dissemination illustrates this: when veterans speak, their words reach policymakers, influencing budgets, doctrines, and readiness.substack.com

Broader Implications and Challenges

While the importance is clear, challenges persist. Active-duty personnel risk career repercussions for public criticism, as evidenced by past cases of retaliation against whistleblowers. Veterans, though freer, may face social ostracism or accusations of disloyalty. Yet, platforms like Compass Points demonstrate that anonymous or pseudonymous contributions (e.g., under names like "Samuel Whittemore," evoking a Revolutionary War hero) can mitigate these risks while amplifying impact.

In today's geopolitical landscape—marked by great-power competition with China and Russia—veteran truth-telling is more crucial than ever. Issues like integrating AI in warfare, addressing recruitment shortfalls, or adapting to climate-impacted operations demand unvarnished input. Silence risks repeating historical blunders, where unchallenged assumptions led to quagmires.

Conclusion: A Call to Vocal Duty

The "Duty to Speak" article is a timely manifesto for veteran engagement.substack.com It reminds us that service doesn't end with discharge; it evolves into guardianship through discourse. By speaking truth, service members and veterans honor their oaths, protect comrades, and fortify the nation. As Pericles' adapted words imply, a military's strength lies in open citizen discourse.substack.com Let this be a rallying cry: in reflection and action, voices must rise to ensure a stronger, more resilient force. For those who have served, the battlefield of ideas awaits—engage it boldly.