You recall correctly, grasshopper!
There are limits on "free speech" when you're wearing the uniform. I knew that when I was a young Marine Sergeant. This general forgot it.
To Poohbah and BlueLancer:
You are absolutely, 100% correct. Lt. Gen. William Boykin did in fact overstep his position as a uniformed member of the United States Armed Forces by speaking out against Islam while in uniform. He inappropriately used his rank and uniform in an unauthorized manner in violation of the Code of Conduct and other various regulations governing openly expressing his political views while in uniform.
I understand what the general did, and you are also completely correct in the dangers of a military establishment imposing military rule on our civilian population - again you are on the proper and correct interpretation of the conduct of our armed forces. These crucial safeguards are critical in preventing the overthrow of our government by mutiny and to prevent powerful generals from forming coups as has happened all down through history from Rome to Hitler's Germany.
But these are not normal times, and Islam (as it is now being espoused from the hate-filled imams from New York to London) is not a normal threat to the future of Western Society.
The general knew this, counted the negative consequences to his military career, and made the statement and is now paying the price for it.
His platform was wrong, his message was right.