The full letter follows below…

We see more casualties each day; including 19 U.S. soldiers killed in action since Saturday, yet the leadership stands by its self-destructive and self-defeating strategy of “counter-insurgency,” or COIN, doctrine and nation-building. Since January 2002, can you cite the victories for America in Afghanistan? 

"Our past experience as military leaders leads us to be greatly concerned about the impact of repeal [of the law] on morale, discipline, unit cohesion, and overall military readiness. We believe that imposing this burden on our men and women in uniform would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the All-Volunteer Force.” - Statement in support of retaining the current law signed by over 1,000 retired flag and general officers.