Dr. Ryan Burke is a Professor of Military & Strategic Studies (MSS) at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA).
Dr. Burke teaches classes on international security studies, military power projection, military affairs, and defense policy, per the Academy website.
Dr. Burke has a long academic resume and has combat experience.
Dr. Burke wrote what is in my opinion a seditious oped at Real Clear Defense. You can read it here.
To quote his oped, "When ostensibly serious people refer to the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” we are no longer being precise. We are being theatrical. Worse, we are being unserious.
"Let’s be clear up front. Despite what an Executive Order directs, the United States does not have a Department of War, at least not legally. It hasn’t since 1947. What it has – by law – is a Department of Defense. Calling it anything else is not bold. It’s cosplay."
"We are more than six months into this new naming convention, and it hasn’t gotten any easier to absorb.
"The rebrand-by-vibes crowd likes “Department of War” because it sounds tougher.
"...calling it the Department of War doesn’t make us sound strong. It makes us sound juvenile. Anecdotally, many Defense Department employees think the whole ‘War’ thing is foolish," (Is Dr. Burke speaking with other DoW employees and conspiring against the United States Commander-in-Chief?).
"...the Executive Order does not formally require leaders to use Department of War in their vernacular. Those who do so choose to ‘accommodate’ an unofficial term because someone almost certainly told them ‘if you don’t say Department of War, you’re out.’"
If that is not directly subverting the command of the President, I don't know what is.
I cannot think of more snarky, disrespectful, unprofessional comments directed towards POTUS, especially in a time of global war.
Bear in mind this man is teaching young cadets to be officers in the United States Air Force, a force at the direction of the Commander-in-Chief, the duly-elected President of the United States.
Dr. Burke is undermining the commander-in-chief in a time of war. Allowing this person to instruct cadets is another example of how USAFA has lost its way training officers for future combat and directing others in combat. The oped undermines unit cohesion and good order and discipline.
The oped comes on the heels of an open seditious display on the terrazzo of my alma mater.
My, how far USAFA has fallen from its heritage and mission.
Dr. Burke should be fired immediately.
Interestingly enough, Dr. Burke removed the name of USAFA from his bio printed at Real Clear Defense.
If any cadets or recent graduates reading this article have sat through one of Dr. Burke's classes, and have information on additional subversive comments, please contact us at [email protected].
We have contacted Dr Burke via email for response and will print when received.
Dr. Burke is also welcome to come on one of our video productions to explain his position. We will be cordial.
Ugh!!!!!! To write a “political” (isn’t everything military supposed to be apolitical) oped about a military acronym is the most JUVENILE stunt ever. These anti-American military officers (especially those with Phd’s) have been brainwashed beyond recognition by Academia. So sad…where have all the REAL Warriors gone?
Incidentally, the air force academy was the last of our military academies to (pretend to) quit DEI.
A return to the proper names of not only our military bases but our Department of War was a necessary step to regain the proud history of our military and the people that helped shape it. Dr. Burke and the like should be decommissioned if they lost their patriotism for our country and commander. Our youth have a tough enough time in K-12 with the false narratives and anti-USA messaging. The youth that make it into military academies don't need to be further confused by these so-called leaders.
He's just furthering the agenda of the former Head of the USAF, the T R E A S O N O U S, incompetent General Brown!
"Department of War" is simply more accurate. It's "Department of Defense" that was always theater and propaganda. I'd rather call a thing what it is.