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I was taught when I was growing up in Kinzu, PA that a warrior’s first duty was to prevent trouble. I was also taught that killing should be the last resort of a warrior. The greatest honor a warrior could earn in battle was to capture or count coup on an enemy. Killing someone generated no honor among the warrior society so it was to be avoided except when it was necessary.
I was also taught that one of the primary duties of a warrior was to instruct the children in the history and laws of the people.
This I tried to do during my entire time on active duty in the Navy. Even to the point of bringing charges against my superior and getting him relived of command. This of course didn’t help me in my quest for promotion. Nor did it endure me to the following people I served under. I was told I was a back stabber and didn’t follow the chain of command. However I was sent in to many commands after that where they had problems or had failed inspections to get them turned around. I just hope that present day military people remember that their primary duty is not to any politician or person above them but to the Constitution and to the people of the United States.
I write this for my fellow military members and for my fellow people of American Indian heritage.
Robert N. Smith (USN Ret.)
