Note from MOAA: The below letter was sent to every member of the Senate on Nov. 7 from Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), MOAA's president and CEO. Download a PDF version at this link.

Dear Members of the U.S. Senate:

As President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), one of the nation’s largest military service organizations, I want to extend my appreciation for your chamber’s recent work to end the promotion block facing more than 300 senior military officers — an ongoing threat to the future of the all-volunteer force and our national security.

As more positions become vacant, more families face hardships, and the strain on the readiness of our military continues, MOAA believes the time to end the promotion block has long passed. We strongly oppose Senator Tuberville’s use of blanket nomination holds to protest Pentagon policies, and we urge the Senate to take advantage of your recent work and act now to end this destructive tactic before further damage is done to our military.

Talented officers on the path for future senior leadership roles are reevaluating their careers, some opting to leave uniform rather than subject their family to hardships and, frankly, insults from Senator Tuberville that demean and disrespect the sacrifices they make in defending our nation. Hearing the senator dismiss impacts to families and readiness that have been raised to him and his staff for many months is very disappointing. Future servicemembers are watching this display of political theater and are reconsidering their decision to serve. It’s a potential loss of talent America cannot afford, but one our competitors love to see.

By interfering with an orderly and efficient confirmation process, Senator Tuberville is denying our military the leadership it needs to accomplish its demanding mission. And as recent events highlight, the stakes could not be higher and the need for leadership could not be greater. MOAA respects and supports the Senate’s responsibility to debate policy and conduct oversight of the Department of Defense. But his blockade tactic places his own objectives over the collective will of elected colleagues and it corrupts the most fundamental principles of our democratic process. Worst of all, it puts military families in the untenable position of having to question whether the hand they raised and the oaths they take are respected by elected leaders.

With multiple conflicts abroad and significant recruiting challenges at home, our military needs its full complement of qualified, capable men and women at the helm. It’s clear some damage has already been done, but we urge the Senate to find a way to act now, end this tactic, and ensure it is never used again before permanent damage is done to our military members and families.

MOAA stands ready to support your work on behalf of all who serve, across all ranks and all uniformed services. We thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of the all-volunteer force and look forward to you taking immediate actions to help restore the important and necessary trust between the military community and our elected leaders.

Very Respectfully,

Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret)
MOAA President and CEO