The US Army's top sergeant major was heavily criticized online for sending a post to highlight Women's Equality Day and diversity in the army amid the ISIS-K suicided bombing attacked that killed 13 U.S. service members in Afghanistan.
Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, The U.S. Army's most senior enlisted member who serves as an advisor on enlistment efforts, received a backlash for his tweet, which said, '#WomensEqualityDay reminds us we’re smarter and more lethal when we come together as an inclusive, cohesive team.
Many called out Grinston's tweet, saying the post was tone deaf after the chaos at Kabul turned deadly on Thursday.
Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston's tweet created an uproar on August 27
Michael Grinston, pictured, is the U.S. Army's most senior enlisted member
Criticisms against his post came in following the suicide bomber attack at Kabul airport
Mike Roffall criticized the tweet and accused Grinston of pushing a 'woke' agenda during a time of crisis. 'Why would you even consider posting this at a time like this," he wrote.
One Twitter user even went as far as to call for Grinston's resignation.
'Your statement on diversity and inclusion while our marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen are in harms way conducting an elaborate and difficult mission is evidence enough that you should resign ASAP,' wrote Patrick Sansevere.
Many people on Twitter condemned Grinston for his statement on the social media platform
Thirteen U.S. service member were killed and 15 more were injured in two bomb attacks outside Kabul airport on Thursday, while reports suggest explosions across the city have continued into the night.
Jihadist splinter group ISIS-K are believed to be behind the two earlier blasts outside the gates of Kabul airport, where thousands of Afghans have been awaiting for evacuation by Western forces.
Senior health officials in Kabul say the death toll could be as high as 90, with 150 more people believed to be injured.
Speaking at a press conference in the US tonight, General McKenzie told reporters: 'As you know, two suicide bombers, assessed to be ISIS fighters, detonated in the vicinity of the Abbey Gate at the airport and in the vicinity of the Baron Hotel.
'The attack on the Abbey Gate was followed by an attack by ISIS gunmen, who opened fire on civilian and US forces.
In a stark warning, he also said the US believed Kabul could face more attacks in the near future, saying: 'We believe it is their desire to continue these attacks and we expect those attacks to continue and we're doing everything we can to be prepared for those attacks'.
Grinston later sent out condolences to the families of those killed in the attack
Grinston later tweeted to acknowledge the situation at Kabul airport.
'Our deepest sympathies go out to the Families of those killed in today’s attack. May their sacrifice be remembered and honored for all time,' he wrote.
Grinston was sworn in as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army on Aug. 9, 2019, and has held every enlisted leadership position in the role.
No comments:
Post a Comment