U.S. Army Lieutenant General Maria Gervais, who heads up the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command posted a photo Saturday of what she thought were U.S. troops leaving Afghanistan, but it turns out they were British troops later IDed as being with the 16th Air Assault Brigade. Getting that third star apparently doesn’t take much in today’s woke military.
Not noticing the British uniforms and weaponry (SA80s), Gervais tweeted Saturday morning, “This picture is worth 1000 words—thanks to these American hero’s. #Grateful”
Screen capture by Arthur Schwartz. Original tweet linked below. (Update: Gen. Gervais deleted the tweet Saturday night and her follow-up tweet.)
18 minutes later Gervais acknowledged her error, “Absolutely correct— British troops— thankful to our British heroes and all who helped w/ this mission! Absolutely love the picture!!”
The Brits were kind to our confused three star general, “Thank you General. @16AirAssltBde were privileged to be part of the team and serve alongside @82ndABNDiv and @USMC No closer Allies or friends. #AdUnumOmnes”
This was a tough dangerous mission — couldn’t have done it without you and all our partners. Apologize up front for mistake
— LTG Gervais (@TradocDCG) September 4, 2021
Gervais replied, “This was a tough dangerous mission — couldn’t have done it without you and all our partners. Apologize up front for mistake”.
The Brits were gracious, “No need to apologise. One Team”
No need to apologise. One Team 🇺🇸🇬🇧
— TheParachuteRegiment (@TheParachuteReg) September 4, 2021
As one can imagine the comments by incredulous Americans were not so forgiving. This one by retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Jesse Jane Duff says it best, “Yikes. A 3 star general at that. My Marines woulda’ submitted my retirement papers for me if I did that. Maybe that’s why the military left so many Americans behind – the generals didn’t recognize them.”
Yikes. A 3 star general at that. My Marines woulda' submitted my retirement papers for me if I did that.🤦♀️
Maybe that's why the military left so many Americans behind – the generals didn't recognize them.
— Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) September 4, 2021
As one can imagine the comments by incredulous Americans were not so forgiving. This one by retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Jesse Jane Duff says it best, “Yikes. A 3 star general at that. My Marines woulda’ submitted my retirement papers for me if I did that. Maybe that’s why the military left so many Americans behind – the generals didn’t recognize them.”
Yikes. A 3 star general at that. My Marines woulda' submitted my retirement papers for me if I did that.🤦♀️
Maybe that's why the military left so many Americans behind – the generals didn't recognize them.
— Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) September 4, 2021
This is a close second, “Cost of forever war for US: $2 trillion, US LTG not knowing these are British soldiers: Priceless”
Cost of forever war for US: $2 trillion
US LTG not knowing these are British soldiers: Priceless https://t.co/x2MysRsrNz
— Ian Livingston (@islivingston) September 4, 2021
Several posters noted the misspelling of heroes which just added to the sense of incompetence, “Not sure what’s worse. That she used an apostrophe to spell “heroes” or that she can’t tell our guys from Brits.”
Not sure what’s worse. That she used an apostrophe to spell “heroes” or that she can’t tell our guys from Brits. https://t.co/LT7ichphJk
— Sunni Labeouf (@medved_bjj) September 4, 2021
The tells in the picture were obvious to military observers, “Lol Think you will find they are Brits! The SA80 kinda us (sic) a gimmie as is the uniform!”