Thread: God Bless Gen. McChrystal

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Originally Posted by btsave

As much as I dislike Obama's politics and self serving approach, as well as his apparent un-AMerican actions, it is a soldier's duty to obey orders and to support the commander in chief. That is a basic rule of the military. He has the right to speak out only after he leaves the service. He broke a cardinal rule.

With 24 years military service, and rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E9) I have known a few generals. Most have had great concern for the people serving under them and respect for the people above them. One of the rules all military men and women must observe is respect for their superiors, the position if not the person. I have also learned that you have an obligation to speak up to your superiors if you disagree with them. This should be done in confidence, if after listening to you, your superiors choose a different path, legal of course, then you are obligated to make their decision your decision. You do not run them down in public nor to your troops. If you are not willing to do that, then you need to find a new job. Whether he was right or wrong, Gen McChrystal screwed up by saying what he did in public and really gave the president no choice.

Pat

Originally Posted by Stu Cool

With 24 years military service, and rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E9) I have known a few generals. Most have had great concern for the people serving under them and respect for the people above them. One of the rules all military men and women must observe is respect for their superiors, the position if not the person. I have also learned that you have an obligation to speak up to your superiors if you disagree with them. This should be done in confidence, if after listening to you, your superiors choose a different path, legal of course, then you are obligated to make their decision your decision. You do not run them down in public nor to your troops. If you are not willing to do that, then you need to find a new job. Whether he was right or wrong, Gen McChrystal screwed up by saying what he did in public and really gave the president no choice.

Pat

I'm probably one ot the most anti-war, anti-government, anti most everything that interferes with my life.... But I do remember from my time in service that this post from Pat is how a real soldier behaves, and a general is nothing more or less then a soldier, right?????

If you were a VP at Chebby and went around telling everyone that Ford was a better company and had a better car they'd fire yer butt, too!!!!!!

But of course, like everything else, it just becomes another political issue and everyone lines up behind their favorite party, CNN or FOX!!!!!!

[QUOTE=Dave Severson;390498]I'm probably one ot the most anti-war, anti-government, anti most everything that interferes with my life.... But I do remember from my time in service that this post from Pat is how a real soldier behaves, and a general is nothing more or less then a soldier, right?????

I agree with most of the comments but I think this is wrong.

"A general is nothing more or less then a soldier, right?????”

Dave, everyone is entailed to their opinions but to say a General, is nothing more or less then a Solider, in my opinion is wrong. I spent 3 years in the Army; my deceased brother was in the Army for 6 years the last year was spent in Viet Nam. I know you were in Viet Nam and you deserve respect like everyone who has ever spent time in the service and especially war. I talked to a WW2 veteran yesterday when he was taking me to the pre-op for yet another surgery, I asked if he still knew his serial number he went right into US…….. I gave him my Ra……. number we talked about how that is one number you will never forget he was 82 years old volunteering at the Hospital. Dave when you say a General is more or less just a Solider you’re not giving due respect for them devoting their career's in the Armed Forces. I know I couldn’t have spent that much time in could you? You must not or you would have stayed. I know you were injured as well as my brother in-law. My brother in-law passed away this past November he was disabled but the complications from Agent Orange caused his death.

Obama could not or would not wear the flag on his lapel. Was that a form of insubordination or disrespect? A person that has no leadership qualities should not be the Chief. He did not spend one day in the Military to even know what the roles of ranking personnel duties are. I hear a lot of I this and I that but includes us or we when he says we have to tighten our belts and make sacrifices and we have a tough battle ahead of us. One person said you don't get to be a General by not being a smart person but we have been shown that a person can be President by not having the Military knowledge.

I have a Nephew that is getting reading to come home after his third time in Iraq his rank is a Colonel and he has been in the service for 18 years. Not everyone is qualified to give so much. I knew the chain of command and I respected it. But I don’t respect someone who has no expertise over the experience. The Presidents office was bought the General paid his dues for his position.


If this portion is construed as political and needs to be deleted I could or the Moderator could. I wasn’t trying to go too far but if I did I could get it off.


I believe his main campaign promise was to get us out of war. He spends money left and right when he should be creating jobs like the WPA or anything to give people pride to make money instead of continuing to extend unemployment. He said he was one who did not vote for war on his campaign trail, how far has that come? My self I think a commander in Chief should have some back grown in the Military before sending troops anywhere.

In a War Country where people had no money, my Niece was in the Army and was guarding Iraqi civilians to empty water bottlers with expiration just to give them a job to make money. There could there be jobs where people could get paid. They could pick up trash on the road ways, I could think of several things that people could be paid for instead of feeling like they were taking a hand out after their jobs were done away with.

Richard