Posted on 09/08/2004 2:36:26 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
That isn't a snicker. It's a repeated gagging sound.
bump. might comment later
You've put your finger on the central paradox of the "Women in the Military" issue: the split in attitudes between female (junior) enlisted & professional officers (& senior enlisted). For the latter, it's all about the mission -- just like any good leader.
The thing that continually shocks me is the flip in attitudes (toward female service) when Daddy's little girl decides she wants to go to one of the service academies. Then all the well-reasoned perspectives on how women should serve go right out the window in the interests of the daughters "career path." Tell me you haven't seen this?
That was always my understanding. Generals (or Admirals) were expected to keep their political leanings under wraps, but you could usually tell what their political affiliation was by identifying their patron, or noting under which administration they received that first star. This is why Colin Powell was widely assumed to be a Republican -- long before he ever admitted his party affiliation.
Personally I have never seen that. However I have a daughter and the only service I would want her to join is the Air Force. And then only to get money for college.
My affiliation was Navy. I saw a one retired O-6 who was the most chauvanistic officer you ever met (which was par for the course for an officer that retired in the mid-70's). He had 1 child -- a daughter -- that wanted to go to Colorado Springs. That Captain had a conversion that rivaled St. Paul's. He moved heaven & earth to get her a slot. (Back in the late '70's the service academies were just beginning to take women cadets and slots for them were relatively few) That one I know first-hand. I have heard similar stories passed through the grapevine since then.
As Air Force Chief of Staff during the first Gulf War he was head of the Air Force. Nothing deceptive about that.
Agreed. Moreover, I believe that our entire culture has been affected by this bucket of moral turpitude's presidency.
If you listen to the ad, it's delivered as though he was in charge of the airwar in Iraq..
Are you saying that any general promoted during the Bush administration has to be politically on the Bush express?
Did you know that when they let woman into west point they changed the requirment that cadets had to branch a combat arms. I read the book "The Long Gray Line" this year and found that out. (Yes, we do have time to read over here in Iraq.)
Dang! By your standard, we would have had no military by 1994...
Exactly. Just like a civilian, if you don't like your boss quit or quit bitchin'. Do not usurp the Cic's authority by spreading discontent.
Hate to break it to you, but there is nothing in civilian or military life requiring you to like your boss. And the military is welcome, in private conversation, to say what they want. The rules forbid PUBLIC opposition in the military.
I know that and disagree with it.
It is true politics is always part of the job of a general because of their high profile interaction with the political leadership of the country.
The conduct of the Iraqi war has a strong domestic political component as well as affecting the politics in Iraq and the generals have to be aware of it and sensitive to it.
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