The Real Dave Petri

Retired Senior Naval Officer who is quite concerned about what's going on. My oath to the Constitution didn't end upon retirement. I will continue to defend it!

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

An amazing leader and veteran!

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

When Americans picture the Vietnam War, they rarely picture the nurses who treated devastating wounds under combat conditions, endured the same dangers as their male counterparts, and came home to find their service nearly invisible.

Diane Carlson Evans was one of them, and she refused to let that stand.

https://t.co/MCIp2YlKQ6

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

Nominating Jay Clayton for DNI after appointing Bill Pulte to be acting is like asking Hugh Laurie to be someone's doctor after suggesting that your plumber could do it in the interim.

Sure, he looks the part, but he is still not qualified.

Just another Trump DEI hire: Dubious, Entitled, Incompetent.

[Fox News @FoxNews]

NEW: President Trump is nominating former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence, following pushback from lawmakers over Bill Pulte, who was named to serve as acting DNI, @markpmeredith reports. | @AmericaRpts @johnrobertsFox

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

The American flag has meant something different at every post, every port, and every deployment. This Flag Day weekend, our members share what it looked like from where they served.

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

@AdamMoczar Can someone define American Culture?

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Col. Philip McGovern, USA (Ret.) underscores that in a democracy, lawful speech by retired service members must not be intimidated or discouraged.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #Military #NSL4A

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

Like so many of the @POTUS’s appointments, Bill Pulte is unqualified for the role not to mention does not meet the requirements set forth in US Code.

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

The law requires the DNI to have "extensive national security expertise." Bill Pulte has none.

Former intelligence official and FISA expert George Croner breaks down why Trump's appointment of Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence is both legally dubious and a serious risk to national security.

Read the full commentary: https://t.co/2wibnLF2oN

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Rear Adm. Mark Rich, USN (Ret.) highlights how public trust is a core strategic asset of the military and how it depends on integrity, accountability, and the ability of leaders to speak honestly without fear of retaliation.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #Military #NSL4A

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

My takeaway from @POTUS interview on @MeetThePress
@realDonaldTrump to @kwelkernbc stated it takes years to negotiate a deal in response to her question about why he didn't make a deal in his first term after ending the deal under @BarackObama administration.
But continues to say that a deal is right around the corner.
Which is it, Mr. President?

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

My second piece in the “Out of Many, One” series explores the Declaration’s most ambitious promise: equality. Not as America existed in 1776, but as the benchmark every generation has been forced to confront.
https://t.co/76bLpmr0op

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Major General Craig Whelden, USA (Ret.) emphasizes that punishing or discouraging retired service members for speaking about core military ethics, including the duty to refuse unlawful orders, sends a damaging message to both the force and the public.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #Military #NSL4A

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

Proud to use my voice to defend freedom of speech for fellow retired military

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Commander Dave Petri, USN (Ret.) highlights why experienced national security voices matter and how targeting retired rank or pay can discourage the expertise the public relies on.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #Military #NSL4A

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

This Memorial Day, I’m beginning a new series leading up to America’s 250th birthday.

The theme: E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one.

In this first reflection, I consider what truly binds Americans together.

Their bond was not blood. It was oath, purpose, and shared conviction.
https://t.co/l797MPLdw5

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Captain Mary Hanson, USN, (Ret) underscores that in a democracy, lawful speech by retired service members must not be intimidated or discouraged.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #FreeSpeech #NSL4A

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

Flooding? Really? Based on what source of information?

The U.S. government does not collect religion as a standard immigration category, so there is no official database showing the religion of immigrants. Estimates commonly cited come from organizations like Pew that infer likely religious affiliation from country-of-origin demographics and census/survey data, not direct government records. Even so, using those estimates, Obama-era Muslim legal immigration was about 850k over 8 years (~10% of immigrants) versus 5.2M Christian immigrants. That 850k equals only about 0.25% of today’s U.S. population.
If the U.S. population were the volume of Lake Erie, it would be like adding roughly 2 inches of water to the lake. Christian immigrants during the same period would add about 1 foot.

Seems “Flooded by millions” is just hyperbole when it appears that Muslim immigration under President Obama was a insignificant tidal increase that was driven by Christian immigration.

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Master Gunnery Sgt. Joe Geeter, USMC (Ret.) emphasizes that punishing or discouraging retired service members for speaking about core military ethics, including the duty to refuse unlawful orders, sends a damaging message to both the force and the public.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #FreeSpeech #NSL4A

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Lt. Col. Cliff Bernath, USA (Ret.) highlights why experienced national security voices matter and how targeting retired rank or pay can discourage the expertise the public relies on.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #FreeSpeech #NSL4A

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Their rank was earned. Their expertise is real. Their right to speak must be protected.

When retired military leaders face administrative actions targeting their grade and pay over lawful speech, the message to everyone who served is clear: stay silent.

That silence has consequences. National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A) knows that suppressing informed voices doesn't make America safer — it weakens the public debate our democracy depends on, especially on matters where mistakes cost lives.

We are bringing together retirees from across the branches, united in one message: our country benefits when experienced leaders speak.

Share this if you believe informed voices make America stronger.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFMQG

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #Veterans #FreeSpeech #FirstAmendment #NationalSecurity

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DISCLAIMER: All individuals in this video are verified NSL4A members speaking in their personal capacity as private citizens. Views expressed do not represent the Department of Defense or any U.S. government agency.

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Lt. Gen. Leah Lauderback, USAF (Ret.) highlights how public trust is a core strategic asset of the military and how it depends on integrity, accountability, and the ability of leaders to speak honestly without fear of retaliation.

NSL4A presents "We Served. We Can Speak." A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #FreeSpeech #NSL4A

[National Security Leaders for America @NSLforAmerica]

Maj. Gen. William Enyart, USA (Ret.) underscores that in a democracy, lawful speech by retired service members must not be intimidated or discouraged.

NSL4A presents “We Served. We Can Speak.” A series supporting First Amendment rights for retired military leaders and warning about the chilling effect on lawful speech by those who have served.

Learn more: https://t.co/Qrqt3HFf18

#WeServedWeCanSpeak #FreeSpeech #NSL4A

[The Real Dave Petri @davepetri]

@LtColDanRooney Not sure how you made it to O5 and not know the oath of office.
My oath is to the US Constitution and that remains sacrosanct even in retirement.
Trump may be the Commander In Chief, but your loyalty is to a higher authority.