I was lucky...the few generals I served with had my back, which was often. I didn't mind mixing it up with field grades when I was right.
I got into it with an LTC team chief during my last exercise as a Reserve Force Commander during a Nuclear Surety Inspection. He was trying to bully me, and I was having nothing to do with that.
During the outbriefing the following day, the LTC made pointed comments as to how I led my force, which pissed me off no end. After the team left, the first person to speak was BG Archie Cannon, Deputy CG of 32nd AADCOM. His primary reason for being there was to relieve the Chain of Command up to Group CO, should the battery fail its inspection.
The first words he spoke were, "LT NHN, I'll take that hit for you. Any time you want to give your soldiers extra training, you have my express permission." That became one of the best days of my otherwise undistinguished military career.
I probably would not have made First LT in today's Army.
I was a career USAF senior NCO. My son made it to USAF Captain. He was recently named CGO of the quarter. 👍
GREAT story.
Thank you for being willing to serve and to stand up for what is right.