Stuart Scheller - Crisis of Command: How We Lost Trust and Confidence in Americas Generals and Politicians

Advance Praise for Crisis of Command

Unpopular views are always hard to hear until they prove to be true. What Stuart Scheller has to say is critical for the military and nation.

LtCol Oliver North, USMC. Vietnam Veteran. Silver Star. Bronze Stars. Purple Hearts.

Those of us who wear the uniform took an oath: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The President and all Members of Congress took that same oath. It is a commitment to put the interests of our country first. Those who are not committed to this cause should not hold positions of power in our government. LtCol Stu Schellers unique perspective will spark conversations and questions about leadership and accountability that are necessary to bring about positive change.

Tulsi Gabbard, United States Army Reserves, Former
Congresswoman, Former Presidential Candidate. Iraq War Veteran. Combat Medical Badge.

If your reaction to the botched American withdrawal from Afghanistan was, what the f@#%, this book is a MUST read. Marine LtCol Scheller, jailed for demanding accountability, offers hard truths to the Pentagons top brass. If the military wants to prevent the next failure, they should start listening to leaders like LtCol Scheller.

Congressman Brian Mast, United States Army. Afghan Veteran. Bronze Star. Purple Heart.

Crisis of Command is raw, real, and courageous, just like Stuart Scheller. Stuart is a man on a mission, and the country needs him now more than ever. He is an intelligent, educated, combat tested, and command selected superior warfighter. Now hes calling out our so-called leaders who have failed the mission, troops, and nation.

Pete Hegseth, Army National Guard, Fox and Friends Host. Afghan Veteran. Bronze Stars.

We are in a crisis of leadership at the senior levels in the military. Senior military leaders have failed over the last two decades. The book Crisis of Command addresses the shortfalls perfectly. We need more people like Stuart Scheller with the courage to challenge the system. The future of America depends upon it.

-General Don Bolduc, United States Army. Ten tours in Afghanistan. Bronze Stars. Purple Hearts.

A KNOX PRESS BOOK

An Imprint of Permuted Press

ISBN: 978-1-63758-544-3

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-63758-545-0

Crisis of Command:

How We Lost Trust and Confidence in Americas Generals and Politicians

2022 by Stuart Scheller

All Rights Reserved

Cover Art by Cody Corcoran

Interior Design by Yoni Limor

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Permuted Press, LLC

New York Nashville

permutedpress.com

Published in the United States of America

Id like to dedicate this book to the following three groups:

My three sons. I hope this book one day helps you understand the circumstances surrounding my decisions. I love you three more than anything. I will spend the rest of my life demonstrating the behavior required of an American man and father.

My parents. I distanced myself from you for the seventeen years I served in the Marine Corps. But like true warriors, you showed up when the fight began, and defended me in my time of need. I appreciate your love and support. I will spend the rest of my life proving I was worth the sacrifices.

The American people. You supported me in my time of need. I truly believe the American people are the most compassionate people in the world. I will spend the rest of my life dedicated to making this nation better for all of US.

Table of Contents

Somebody Needed to Say It
Afghanistan Failure. Thirteen Service Members. First Video.

Im Looking for Purpose
Soccer. Accounting. Marine.

Im Going to Be an Infantry Officer
Officer Candidate School. The Basic School. Infantry Officer Course.

Is This How Counterinsurgency Works?
Beirut. Ramadi. Frustrations.

Post Traumatic Work Life
Walter Reed. Lost Gear. Kids.

Why Are We Still Here?
Afghanistan. Flash Flood. Pakistan.

What If Leaders Have the Wrong Focus?
Expeditionary Warfare School. Reawakening. Company Command.

Im a White American Male with a German Last Name. Am I Evil?
The Basic School. Equal Opportunity. Standards.

Why Do We Allow Leaders to Treat Us Like That?
Command & Staff. MARSOC. 6th Marines.

You Should Probably Watch the Video
Hit Post. Fired. All In.

Who Are You Calling Crazy?
Second Video. School Bus. Public Affairs.

It Was a Metaphor
Hospital. Lawyers. Media.

The Labor Force Is America
Labor Day Weekend. Third Video. Divorce.

Accountability Is a Two-Way Street
Fourth Video. General Awakening. Gag Order.

Are All People in Jail Bad?
Final Post. Jail. Cold Showers.

With Friends Like That, Who Needs Enemies?
Investigation. Betrayal. Narratives.

Why Does The Oath Mean Something Different To Them?
Court-Martial. Letter of Reprimand. Narcissistic.

M y name is Stuart Scheller. I am the seventeen-year Marine Corps infantry officer who resigned at the rank of lieutenant colonel after witnessing a poorly planned and executed Afghanistan withdraw. I was thrust into the media when I posted a video on Facebook and LinkedIn from my office as a battalion commander. Wearing my uniform, I identified myself in the video with rank and title and then proceeded to criticize the decisions of my senior military and political leaders. A series of escalating events occurred following the release of the video, which resulted in my imprisonment, court-martial, and resignation.

The central question I had for my senior leaders then, and still have today: How can the greatest military power in the world tolerate keeping those in power who continually squander the lives and treasure of the American people? I have unpopular theories to the question. I wrote this book because senior military leaders and politicians demonstrate an inability to engage or acknowledge obvious failures. I dedicated my life to this country. I led service members into battle who died fighting for the initiatives of our senior leaders. We win all the tactical battles, yet when it is time to link our tactical success to operational and strategic goals, the United States consistently fails.

This is my story. This is my perspective. Why I joined the Marine Corps. Why I love America. Why I joined during a time of war, and why I wanted combat experiences. How I progressed through my career. How my experiences in places like Iraq and Afghanistan shaped my thinking. How my military education created deeper questions about Americas foreign policy approach. And how the events of Afghanistan compelled me to sacrifice everything in my life up to that point.

The book is structured as follows: Chapter 1 jumps straight to the suicide attack at Kabul, Afghanistan, airfield on August 26, 2021. Chapter 2 starts with my enlistment into the Marine Corps in 2004, and the story progresses in a linear fashion thereafter. Chapters 2 through 9 describe my career prior to the Afghanistan withdrawal. This section is relevant for the readers understanding of my perspective and experiences and overlays my career within a time frame that America conducted two of its longest wars. Its a glimpse into my generations struggles during those wars. Additionally, my personal and family life permeates each chapter of the story. This additional storyline illustrates an often-untold baseline for the pressure applied to families impacted by a military career.