I don't buy it. This isn't a bridge club or home owners association. At a minimum it was disrespectful of his chain of command. If I or anyone in my command had committed this breach of protocol and professional etiquette there would be hell to pay.
Have you read a book called, "Once an Eagle"?
I ask because the comment reminds me of something the character Courtney Massengale would say.
No joke. It's really bad that this soldier allowed a reporter to entice him and his fellow soldiers into coming across as poorly supported and poorly disciplined (which the media is constantly trumpeting, that's why they constantly latch on to every whiner reservist that wanted to go to college, not fight). I'm sure the guy is feeling pretty bad right now, and I'm betting his commanders are letting him feel the pain for not addressing concerns through the proper channels. Blind-siding your bosses in a public or semi-public forum is not a smart way to do things.
FWIW, when I was in the Navy, we would have "Captain's Call" where the entire crew could address any concerns or questions directly to the C.O. Of course 98% of it was whiny crying Bravo Sierra of the worst order. I quit going, since my request for a jacuzzi on the fantail was never fulfilled.