Still, some turned violent, and governors felt the need to call-up National Guardsmen to supplement local police efforts. "Peaceful protests means that American freedom is working," he said. Milley said the vast majority of protests around the nation were peaceful. All of my actions have been consistent with my statutory authority as an adviser, who is explicitly not in the chain of command." At no time was I ever in command of any forces. "Throughout the recent period of civil unrest in our nation, I exercised this role exclusively. "My role as the chairman is to be the principal military adviser to the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council," he said. Milley clarified June 1 news reports that implied he was in command of the troops protecting Washington, D.C. "We, the United States military, hold dear the Constitution and the principle of an apolitical military that is so deeply rooted in the very essence of our republic." "This oath underpins my duties as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and I am deeply committed to fulfilling both the letter and the spirit of my oath regardless of consequences to self," Milley said. He noted that all members of the military swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution. "And we must thoughtfully examine our institution and ensure it is a place where all Americans see themselves represented and have equal opportunity to succeed, especially in leadership positions." "But we are not perfect," the chairman said. Truman integrated the armed forces in 1948 - 17 years before the 1965 Civil Rights Act. The military helped lead the integration of U.S. "Equality and opportunity are matters of military readiness, not just political correctness." military is a cohesive team consisting of people of different races and genders and religious and sexual orientations working to accomplish their mission and peace in the war, all over the globe. As one of our famous presidents said, 'a house divided does not stand.'" "We who wear the cloth of our nation understand that cohesion is a force multiplier," he said. The military is built around teams of service members banding together to accomplish shared missions, Milley said. We, as a nation and as a military, are still struggling with racism, and we have much work to do." The protests that have ensued not only speak to this injustice, but also to centuries of injustice towards Black Americans. "I have many policemen in my family, and I am personally outraged by George Floyd's brutal and senseless killing. "George Floyd's death amplified the pain, the frustration and the fear that so many of our fellow Americans live with day in and day out," the chairman said. Esper testified about the military role in wake of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis policemen in May. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Dr. Milley condemned systemic racism saying, "There is no place our armed forces for manifestations or symbols of racism, bias or discrimination," during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee this afternoon.
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