The answer to that is probably yes. Let's assume for a moment that the reporter didn't feed the question and the enlisted man asks it on his own, does this violate the chain of command?
We are at war and Rummy showing up in a war zone and asking for feedback wasn't exactly the best move. I love Rummy and think he is doing a fantastic job. However, saying that, he opened himself up to this and knowing that some reporter will probably try this, still let it happen.
Huh? Rummy going to the troops to ask questions is what a Defense Sec. does.
Stop making excuses for the reporter who tried to mainpulate the honest questions to push his anti-America agenda.
That I do not know. I do know that if I were a young soldier given the opportunity to speak to the Secretary of Defense, I would not have asked that question. It would be a little bit of intimidation but mostly out of respect.
I do appreciate YOUR questions however.