Here’s how the soldiers judge Crosetto and Vannacci

Again: “I didn't point the finger. I asked the Armed Forces, in their competence and autonomy, to start a serene and impartial analysis of the facts. Also because whoever wears a uniform and has the power and authorization to legitimately use force must show himself and be perceived as a person without prejudice. Anyone in need of help wants to feel safe, whatever their religion, culture or sexuality. And whoever represents the forces of order must behave in the same way as those in front of them. If we thought that there are citizens of series A and series B we would not respect the laws of the State and the Constitution. A representative of the state must not only respect everyone, but also show it. Even if he legitimately thinks otherwise. Like a magistrate,” Crosetto pointed out.

ALREADY SHOWN ON X (TWITTER)

Therefore, the defense minister reiterated to the newspaper what he had already declared on the social network X.

If the gen. #Vannacci had written a book arguing opposing theses to those he claims in these, I would have behaved in exactly the same way, as a Minister. Whoever attacks me, from one side or the other, would have behaved in the opposite way. Yes, we are different, and a lot.

— Guido Crosetto (@GuidoCrosetto) August 20, 2023

REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF VANNACCI FROM THE GUIDE OF THE MILITARY GEOGRAPHICAL INSTITUTE OF FLORENCE

With respect to the decision of the leaders of the Armed Forces, on the basis of which the general was removed from the leadership of the Military Geographical Institute of Florence, in the interview with Corriere della Sera Crosetto specified: "I would not have even done the change of functions , just to shut down the case and prevent Vannacci from becoming a martyr, as it later happened. I would have preferred to wait and sift through all the information. But I assure you that the people with whom I spoke – and who then acted – would have demanded much more harshness. But I am and remain guarantor. The internal procedure, which has already started, will evaluate the general's position and decide".

But what do the military think? Some have intervened in recent days commenting on the story.

WHAT COLONEL PAGLIA THINKS ABOUT THE VANNACCI CASE

The latest to expose himself on the Vannacci case is Gianfranco Paglia, lieutenant colonel of Folgore, a former PDL parliamentarian, interviewed yesterday by Repubblica .

“I don't want to go into the merits, if the statements have violated the disciplinary code he will be sanctioned. But it's not politics that should judge us soldiers. I'm sorry that it has become a political case. If you then ask me if I'm for or against Vannacci, I don't answer. I want to be above the parties. I'm not one to like deployments. I prefer to be a soldier and act like one,” Paglia stressed. And regarding the hypothesis of a sanction against General Vannacci, the colonel replied: “I don't have the faintest idea, I've never dealt with it. I haven't even read the book. And I won't read it, I've already heard too many."

Regarding the work of Crosetto who immediately announced the disciplinary procedure against the soldier, Paglia said: “In my opinion he tried to appease any type of controversy. Unfortunately he didn't succeed”.

THE COMMENT OF GENERAL ARPINO

General Mario Arpino, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Defense, also expressed his opinion on the matter, who wrote on Formiche : “There was talk of authorization and sanctions. I left active service 23 years ago, hasn't something changed in the meantime? I wanted to check. The new code of the Defense Ordinance actually dates back to 2010 and includes 2272 articles. The "Freedom of expression of thought" for the military is contemplated by article 1472, in force since 27 March 2012, which reads as follows: 1. The military can freely publish their writings, hold public conferences and in any case publicly express their thoughts , except in the case of matters of a confidential nature of military or service interest, for which authorization must be obtained. [..]".

“Well, in General Vannacci's book there is no trace of reserved topics of military interest or political propaganda. But then, where is the problem? If we are dealing with “politically correct” needs in expressing one's ideas, we leave that to others”, argues Arpino. “We soldiers are only interested in truth and correctness in communication. Qualities that are certainly not lacking in this book”, concluded the general who also reported an excerpt from a letter addressed to Vannacci the day after his dismissal: “I share word by word, line by line, what you said and wrote” .

THE CRITICISM OF DE PAOLIS, MILITARY ATTORNEY GENERAL

Of the opposite opinion to that expressed by General Arpino, Marco De Paolis, military attorney general who claims "the removal from his post was more than appropriate".

In an interview with Corriere della Sera the day after the dismissal of General Roberto Vannacci, De Paolis claims that in his opinion the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, did "very well" in urging disciplinary action and "specifying that there are summary trials, but serious investigations: the guarantees apply to everyone”. "The negative values ​​contained in some of Vannacci's statements so in contrast with the values ​​affirmed in our Constitution make me think that there is a training deficit", underlined the magistrate.

And regarding the possible military or disciplinary criminal relevance, the prosecutor De Paolis highlighted that “The transfer is precautionary. Now the disciplinary procedure will have its own process and will end with an acquittal or a sanction. Due to the disturbance created by his declarations, he certainly could not remain as director of the Military Geographical Institute, the highest office of the army in Tuscany”.

THE POST OF GENERAL CAMPORINI

General Vincenzo Camporini, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Defense, also spoke out about respect for discipline within the military ranks. On the social X Camporini wonders about what "sense of regulations and discipline does an officer who says these words have?" referring to the statement of General Vannacci.

But what sense of regulations and discipline does an officer have who says these words?
"The Minister of Defense is my direct superior, I owe him discipline and respect. Whenever he wants to hear from me, I'll be available to explain and give my version of the facts".

—Vincenzo Camporini (@camporin1) August 23, 2023

THE MILITARY UNIONS ARE ALSO DIVIDED

Furthermore, the military unions are also divided on the Vannacci case.

"I hope that the defense minister will immediately start the procedure for the imposition of the maximum state sanction against the soldier", the general secretary of the military union Luca Marco Comellini told La Repubblica .

In the meantime, on 22 August the military union denounced General Vannacci. "Given the need to protect the dignity, reputation and honor of military members in any case union members and of those in any case part of the military system belonging to 'minorities' (homosexuals, transsexuals, second generation Italian citizens) seriously affected by the content of the text, this morning we filed a complaint against the author with the military prosecutor's office in Rome” reads a note released by the military union.

Instead, the Military Observatory has lined up to defend the general, for some time on the front line, above all to claim the rights of military victims of depleted uranium. "Once again a minister who trusts the top management too much, once again a minister who prefers his seat to confrontation and debate, once again a minister who considers political balances a priority over an objective examination of reality", he told Republic the president of the Observatory, Domenico Leggiero.