"It is a virtual certainty that you will fight on a battlefield for America at some point in your life. You will lead soldiers in combat. It will happen," Vice President Mike Pence told the most diverse graduating class of West Point on Saturday, "Some of you will join the fight against radical Islamic terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq." This speech comes just a day after the Pentagon confirmed 1,500 more American troops will be deployed to the Middle East.

"Some of you may even be called upon to serve in this hemisphere … When that day comes, I know you will move to the sound of the guns." Pence warned the 980 newly commissioned second lieutenants. We know Pence spoke with Juan Guaido the night before he declared himself President of Venezuela almost igniting a civil war in the country. Guaido has since had several failed attempts to overthrow Maduro, it seems the only way to get Maduro out of power would be with an invasion of a US coalition. Let’s hope Pence doesn’t get his wish of this class serving in our hemisphere.

Pence went on, "As you accept the mantle of leadership I promise you, your commander in chief will always have your back. Mr. Trump is the best friend the men and women of our armed forces will ever have."

If President Trump was truly the best friend of the men and women of our armed forces, 1,500 more of them would not be on their way to the Middle East right now. He would actually have ended our wars in Syria and Afghanistan like he said he was going to. The 2019 class included 233 women and 110 African Americans. How about we don’t celebrate this diversity by sending them off to die in pointless wars Mr. Vice President?

Dave DeCamp is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn NY, focusing on US Foreign policy and wars. He is on Twitter at @decampdave.