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Oil City News
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Oil City News publishes letters, cartoons and opinions as a public service. The content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Oil City News or its employees. Letters to the editor can be submitted by following the link at our opinion section.
Dear Casper,
When I was 19, I proudly joined the United States Marine Corps. Before leaving for bootcamp, I was required to take the oath of enlistment. The oath starts with, “I swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, both foreign and domestic.” Now, I have not been on active duty in 15 years, but as I have watched current events unfold, I have been reflecting on these powerful words.
My boot camp training was 13 weeks of mentally and physically intense training. Then another four weeks for combat training. In these training sessions, I was taught how to de-escalate tense situations, how to properly defend myself and my brothers in arms, and when it would be appropriate to shoot my rifle at another person. It was made abundantly clear that if I were to shoot at another person when the situation could have been handled peacefully, I would be sent to the brig. For those who don’t know, the brig is a military jail.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers undergo training for 45 days. They are clearly not taught any de-escalation tactics. Seeing these reckless, lawless thugs behaving as such is infuriating. If they are to be roaming the streets and “enforcing the law,” they should be held to the same standards as troops overseas. Respect for human life is essential.
The oath to defend the Constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic should be the number one in ICE training. If it were, perhaps ICE agents would realize that they are the domestic enemy, or at the very least, are working for the domestic enemy. I would have expected that ICE agents would have knowledge of the United States Constitution and would abide by it, but clearly, I was mistaken.
As a veteran, I am distraught to see the country that I swore to defend in shambles. My heart aches knowing that the United States Constitution, which I swore to uphold and defend, seems to have become meaningless. I proudly served my country, and would do it a million times over. I wish that our lawmakers and the ICE agents shared my reverence for the Constitution.
Writing in Solidarity for a Better Wyoming Future.
Tyler Erickson
Casper
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