It Wasn't Rational

[DISCLAIMER]

Photo credit (edited), fair use

I make no secret of the fact that I was kicked out of the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps. I say this not because I’m proud, though in rejection of guilt and shame regarding decisions I made in direct challenge to questionable rules, regulations, orders, standards, and traditions of the time.

Not always was my perspective as healthy as it currently is. After all, there was a time when I self-disturbed about my character of service (also known as a “discharge”) with use of beliefs which were illogical and unreasonable (collectively “irrational”). Allow me to explain.

“Logic” is a science that deals with the principles and criteria of validity of inference and demonstration. It also addresses the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable.

“Reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. In simple terms, it’s the thing that makes a fact intelligible. Unlike what occurs with limited time in my sessions with clients, when teaching people about rational thinking through use of my blog I often use syllogisms.

Generally, a syllogism is comprised of a major premise, a minor premise, and a resulting conclusion. For the sake of argument and understanding, it’s inferred that both premises which lead to a conclusion are presumed to be true.

Bear in mind that the premises in an argument, proposition, supposition, thought, or belief of this form will always lead to the conclusion. This is the case even when the premises aren’t actually true.

Equally, in order to be considered “rational” the argument, proposition, or belief empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason. Otherwise, the proposed syllogism may simply follow logical form while not remaining in accord with reason. As an example:

Form (modus ponens) –

If it is true that p, then it is also true that q; p; therefore, q.

Broken down into its specific premises, this form of syllogism is as follows:

Premise 1: If it is true that p, then it is also true that q.

Premise 2: It is true that p.

Conclusion: Therefore, it is also true that q.

A simpler form of writing this type of syllogism is as follows:

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

For context regarding the following example, I stated in a June 11, 2025 blogpost entitled Stop the Violence:

700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops have reportedly been ordered to Los Angeles. In my opinion, normalizing potential violations of the Fourth Amendment is morally, ethically, and legally wrong.

Likewise, dispatching active duty military members to address the U.S. civilian population may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which is also plausibly wrong.

Syllogistic example –

If U.S. Marines and National Guard troops are deployed against a civilian population within our nation, then the deployment of service members constitutes illegal action against U.S. citizens.

U.S. Marines and National Guard troops are deployed against a civilian population within our nation.

Therefore, the deployment of service members constitutes illegal action against U.S. citizens.

This syllogistic example follows logical form. However, I argue that from a moral, ethical, and legal perspective it isn’t reasonable. What evidence might I now have to support that claim? According to one September 2, 2025 source:

A federal court in California ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration violated federal law when it deployed members of the National Guard and active-duty U.S. Marines to Los Angeles earlier this summer in response to protests against immigration enforcement operations.

In a 52-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer found that the president and his administration violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a 1878 law that prohibits the use of the military for domestic law enforcement. Breyer blocked the Trump administration from deploying or using the National Guard currently deployed in California, and any military troops in the state, for civilian law enforcement.

His decision restricts the use of service members to engage in arrests, apprehensions, searches, seizures and traffic and crowd control. The injunction applies only to the Trump administration's use of the National Guard in California, not nationally, and it does not require the Defense Department to withdraw the 300 National Guard troops who remain in Los Angeles. Breyer noted that the administration is not prohibited from using troops consistent with the Posse Comitatus Act, and wrote that they can continue to protect federal property in a manner allowed under the law.

It wasn’t rational to misuse U.S. military and National Guard service members, as was the case in Los Angeles. I questioned and subsequently violated orders during my military service (1996-2007). Now, why did the Marines in Los Angeles comply with irrational orders?

Where were their skills of critical thinking? If military service members and National Guard troops were ready and willing to violate the rights of U.S. citizens when sent to Los Angeles, when and where might they also be sent to continue such oppressive action?

Is it perhaps the case that comprehension about what is and isn’t logical or reasonable may deprive authoritative structures of their tyrannical rule? It wasn’t rational to have sent troops to Los Angeles. Then again, it isn’t rational to blindly follow bullshit orders. Ooh rah!

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

Brooks, B., Younis, O., Ali, I., and Reid, T. (2025, June 11). Troops in LA can detain individuals, military official says, as protests spread across US. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-cities-brace-more-protests-parts-los-angeles-placed-under-curfew-2025-06-11/

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United States District Court for the Northern District of California. (2025, September 2). Case No. 25-cv-04870-CRB – Opinion granting injunctive relief. Retrieved from https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.450934/gov.uscourts.cand.450934.176.0_1.pdf

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