the means” camp. Several times, throughout Civil War 2, Carol arrested innocent people merely because of the possibility they would commit a crime in the future. Should innocent people have to suffer for the greater good, or the greater future? Our journey to the ultimate goal is just as important as the final outcome, and our morals, and our actions to achieve that outcome, are equally as important. At several points, Captain Marvel violates the Air Force’s “Service Before Self” model. It states that one must respect others: “We must always act in the certain knowledge that all persons possess fundamental worth as human beings.”
In Civil War 2, Carol saw innocent people as criminals. She locked up these citizens as criminals before any crime had been committed, and she treated said individuals as criminals. Is that respect for others? I would argue it is not. I would argue that Carol Danvers was a poor example of a moral airwoman during this storyline. (I could also fill up the pages of a whole other book questioning the motives of a fictional president who applauds her actions therein.)
The most profound thing that can be said about Carol Danvers is that she is layered. For every story in which the values of the armed forces shine through, there is another contrasting story where she fails them. I admire her bravery and her commitment, but sometimes her cosmic powers outrace her mind. Her leadership capability is beyond reproach. Her morals are where she falters. Yes, Carol is not the perfect ideal like Captain America of the first chapter, but as a full bird colonel, she is responsible for representing an example for the airmen in her command, for the heroes she leads, and for the civilians she saves. General Ronald Fogelman, who served as the fifteenth chief of the US Air Force, once said: “Because of what we do, our standards must be higher than those of society at large. The American public expects it of us and properly so. In the end, we earn the respect and trust of the American people because of the integrity we demonstrate.”
Does Captain Marvel meet the standard that General Fogelman preached? All evidence points to no. She may be a hero and inspiration to millions, but Carol Danvers could definitely try to do better. She has common values with other service members. If she allowed herself to follow them, then Captain Marvel would truly fly.
The Armored Battle Buddy
Everyone in the world knows the phrase “Batman and Robin.” Sidekicks are usually underappreciated, just like the supporting casts in many comic book worlds. These supporting casts include characters who, at first glance, many would consider to be “sidekicks.” In many stories, sidekicks are looked down upon as lesser heroes when measured against the deeds of their heroes/protagonists. However, these characters are the furthest thing from insignificant. These cast members stand by their heroes and support them in each of their battles while, at the same time, not following their orders blindly. Characters like Lois Lane in Superman, Wong in Doctor Strange, and James Rhodes in Iron Man stand taller than their heroes and—in many cases—outshine them in every aspect.
James “Rhodey” Rhodes first appeared in Iron Man #118 (1968). To Tony and the reader, he was simply a helicopter pilot. It wasn’t until many issues later that we learned James’ true origin story. He was not only a pilot, but an Air Force helicopter pilot. (In another instance of Marvel Comic retconning, Rhodey originally met Iron Man during the Vietnam War. Now, their rolling—and constantly updating—timeline has their fabled meeting happening during the Afghanistan conflict.)
When Tony came across Rhodey in the steamy jungle, the billionaire philanthropist was clad in the very first Iron Man suit he ever designed. (We’ll not mention why Tony is also wearing a trench coat and hat on top of the armor. That subject could fill another three-hundred-page book.) Rhodey was desperately trying to fix his helicopter to get back in the air when the newly minted “Iron Man” loudly lumbered through the trees. Rhodey did what any decently trained airman would do—he pointed his M16 at the monstrosity and fired! When the bullets had no effect on the Iron Man, Rhodey remarked, “Oh mama, looks like I’ve stepped in the bad stuff this time.” Iron Man assured Rhodey he would not harm him, but he needed the batteries from Rhodey’s downed helicopter to recharge his suit. If he couldn’t get a boost soon, the suit would fail and Tony Stark’s heart would stop. (This was during the time in Tony Stark’s career when he still needed the Iron Man suit to survive.) The two men barely had a moment to consider their next moves when a Viet Cong patrol attacked their position. The two were forced to unite against a common enemy. There’s no quicker way to forge a bond than that! Iron Man saved Rhodey’s life, which ultimately convinced James Rhodes to allow Iron Man to drain his helicopter’s batteries. As a result, the helicopter was permanently down for the count. Not only that, but Rhodey’s leg had been injured during the surprise attack. Determined not to leave behind the brave soldier who had helped him, Iron Man carried Rhodey on foot until they reached the American perimeter and safety. After being released from the hospital, Tony Stark appeared to Rhodey and thanked him for helping his Iron Man reach safety; he then offered Rhodey a job after the hostilities in Vietnam ended.
(Readers’ note: Iron Man kept his real identity secret from Rhodey and made him believe Iron Man was Tony’s bodyguard. One can only imagine the conversations they must have had, jaunting through the jungle. “Hey, Iron Man, what movies do you like?” This was a ruse that Tony Stark perpetrated on several people in the comics over the years, not just Rhodey.)
This brief encounter proves Rhodey was ready to think outside the box. He wasn’t—and is not—limited to the rules and standard procedures of the Air Force. Rhodey is willing to critically think about the situation and use the available means to accomplish his goal. You don’t look a gift iron robot man in the mouth. After a series of other jobs, Rhodey left the military and finally accepted Stark’s offer. He became Tony’s personal pilot and aviation engineer.
Many people like to put service members in a box—typecasting them, if you will. If you join the Air Force, then the only career fields for you after your service are flying jumbo jets for airlines, or NASA. Rhodey took a job that was a little of both. If not for his acceptance of the strange, he would never have found himself working for a multibillionaire superhero, a job which would eventually lead him to his own true destiny: becoming a superhero.
When my time in the service was over, I considered many jobs connected to my old life. I had just come back from a year in Iraq, and many of the civilian contractors who staff bases in the combat zone are always looking for experienced former soldiers. Since you’ve already seen the combat theatre up close, you know exactly what to expect. There would be no surprises. (In retrospect, I can’t imagine any full civilian non-veteran who would accept a job in a combat zone. No job pays that well.)
There is one employer whose pay is woefully poor—the US armed forces. Join any of the branches and, unless you quickly move up the ranks to captain or major, you’re going to find your paycheck lacking. Now, there are plenty of other benefits that sometimes make up the difference when you are serving, but not many. Our fighting men and women are severely underpaid for the job we expect them to do. Civilian contractors in a combat zone, on the other hand, are paid handsomely. I remember asking the civilian who managed our fuel base on Tallil Air Force Base (the post I was stationed at in Iraq) how much he made. He simply laughed and said, “It’ll make your head spin, kid.” It’s the only reason I ever considered going back to the dusty lands of the Middle East, because maybe, just maybe, the pay would make it worth my time. I obviously never made that choice, since I now sit here writing this book. However, this exact choice was made by James Rhodes, and I like to think his Stark paycheck was very handsome. It’s a choice I think many combat veterans would have also made.
Rhodey is also a character who values
