Screw Up-Move Up: The Continuing Promotion Of And Lack Of Accountability For Kabul's Failed Generals

Hint: I know some of them.

I originally published this article in The Armed Forces Press, where I serve as an Editor.

Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, Aug. 30, 2021.

The lack of accountability in the military under the Biden administration is well known. Enter Afghanistan 2021.

Afghanistan was such a disaster not only due to the preventable loss of thirteen brave Americans at the Abbey Gate but also because of the message of weakness heard around the world. The results of that message are clear for all to see:

1. Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

2. The explosion of the Middle East.

3. An increasingly militaristic China.

4. America's wide open Southern border.

What is often unknown is where the generals went after their role during the surrender of Afghanistan. I will focus on two examples because they were both part of the 1st Infantry Division and Forty Riley, Kansas command group when I was the Secretary of the General Staff, working alongside them but for the Division Commander. Both arrived at Fort Riley as newly promoted Brigadier Generals by way of elite units like the Rangers and Delta Force. Both were highly respected in their communities and competent leaders. They are Chris Donahue and Michael "Erik" Kurilla (Kurilla the Gorilla).

In August 2021, Donahue commanded the famous 82nd Airborne Division. He took command from Kurilla, who moved on to command the 18th Airborne Corps. By commanding the 18th Airborne Corps, Kurilla now commanded the 82nd Airborne Division under Donahue, among other divisions. Both had significant command responsibilities during this critical timeline in our nation's history. Donahue on the ground in Kabul, Kurilla at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Both failed.

To add fuel to the fire, Donahue was passed off as the last American Soldier to leave Afghanistan. He was not. He wasn't even the last person to step on the C-17 because once he got on the C-17, the U.S. Air Force crew member responsible for closing the ramp stepped off the plane to conduct necessary checks before climbing back in. Some call this "Public Relations;" most call it propaganda. He also took the picture multiple times before being satisfied. In our conversations with the Soldiers and the aircrews there, they told us Donahue borrowed some of the gear to wear for the picture. Another source, part of an aircrew waiting to depart simultaneously, said Donahue ensured "war trophies" were put on and took up precious space for people. Even if he did have "approval" for the war trophies, Kurilla and General (retired) McKenzie, USMC (then Commander of The U.S. Central Command) would have had to be involved. What was more important, trophies or people?

The significance of the failure in Afghanistan cannot be understated. In our nation's history, people were once fired for this kind of failure or held accountable in some other way. Not in the Biden administration and the Department of Defense under the leadership of Secretary Lloyd Austin. (Austin, by the way, I served under in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. He was a diversity hire all the way, even then.)

What happened to Kurilla and Donahue? Kurilla was promoted and now commands the U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East and America's role in defending Israel. Israel is assigned to the U.S. European Command for political reasons, but it needs the resources of Central Command. Donahue was recently nominated for his fourth star and to command the U.S. Army in Europe. He is pending Senate confirmation.

At a time when military members were removed for refusing the unapproved jab, exposing Marxism in the ranks, not adhering to the DEI propaganda, and much more, it seems the generals overseeing a national tragedy were promoted or successfully retired with no accountability—yet. Brad Miller, Matt Lohmeier, Brandon Budge, and many others displayed authentic leadership and were punished, while those of us who willingly sacrificed our careers to do the right thing keep watching failure get promoted.

Will President Trump follow through, hold these and others accountable, and restore or promote those who deserve it?

Donahue, Public Record

Kurilla, Public Record

Austin, Public Record