"Fightin' Dem" Caught Campaigning in Uniform, Wearing Uniform Above His Retired Rank

PA Republican State Committee ^ | 7/21/06

[americaprd]

Wow. Can any vets tell me how big a deal this is? I seem to recall there being a case of a retired or active duty officer who took his own life when given a hard time about wearing a ribbon or award he was not entitled to. Any chance Sestak will repent? How pissed off will this make vets?

[.cnI redruM]

No chance he'll ever repent. He'd use the uniform as toilet paper if he wasn't using it as a campaign prop instead.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It wouldn't be unusual to get a bump in rank at retirement.

[dirtboy]

You would never catch a veteran like Senator John McCain, or even Senator John Kerry for that matter, wearing their military uniform while on the campaign trail

I dunno, Lurch did do this with his uniform:

[beelzepug]

But did he serve in Vietnam?

[wideawake]

Adm. Jeremy Boorda committed suicide on May 16, 1996 not long after being accused of wearing decorations which were unearned.

As it turned out, those decorations were earned and the scummy accuser turned out to be talking out of his posterior - as was the scummy accusers wont.

[ozzymandus]

If it's a federal offense, why isn't he arrested?

[Coop]

I seem to recall there being a case of a retired or active duty officer who took his own life when given a hard time about wearing a ribbon or award he was not entitled to.

He was the top sailor, Chief of Naval Operations Mike Boorda, c. 1996.

I actually worked indirectly for Joe Sestak last year. What an imbecilic move to wear his uniform on the campaign trail! As far as wearing an improper rank, I don't think he'd be that stupid.

[BlueNgold]

I don't know about the smoking/drinking thing. You don't do it while walking down a public street, but that's about the only restriction of which I am aware.

Yes, it's a big deal that someone wears a rank to which they are not entitled.

However, if the Admiral served as a 3 star while on AD, it may be an honest mistake, and nitpicking may look petty. If he never wore 3 stars legally then it would be an issue for me. If he had 3 and retired with 2 I would also like to know the circumstances under which that happened - there are many innocent explanations, and just as many not-so-innocent ones.

[Mo1]

and wearing a uniform that displays a rank above what the grade at which he retired from service.

PING

[Coop]

What is it with your PA veterans/politicians? Straighten 'em out!!

[Gay State Conservative]

Those violations include wearing his uniform while engaged in campaign activities and wearing a uniform that displays a rank above what the grade at which he retired from service.

Let me guess.He retired a Seaman Recruit and now wears a Bird.

[cinives]

And this is the guy who wants to replace Curt Weldon ...

[ketelone]

Hahahahah

Lurch, eh?

Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrggghhhhhhhhhh.... urrrrrrrrghhhhhh.

[Mo1]

FYI Ping

[Red Badger]

It was Admiral Mike Boorda, CNO..........

[Coop]

Only stuff I've found has Sestak listed as a Vice Admiral - that's a three-star. Unless someone has some different info, that part of the press release is wrong.

I can't imagine any military member THAT senior and in a public setting trying to fake a rank.

[PurpleMan]

He didn't spend the appropriate time in grade to retire w/ 3-stars after CNO "reassigned" him (translation - gave him the Fredo Corleone kiss)

[BlueNgold]

It wouldn't be unusual to get a bump in rank at retirement.

Since when? Most people retire these days when they fail to gain a promotion. Why on earth would the military send someone home because they failed to select for the next rank, but then give them the promotion as a 'lovely parting gift'?

Flag officers promotions must be approved by the Senate, as with all officers, but they are scrutinized much more closely. Additionally, flag officers must have a job that warrants the rank they wear and for which they get paid. There are only so many 3 & 4 star billets out there.

I have never heard of a flag officer from any service being given an extra star on the way out the door, and I would be highly suspicious of anyone who claimed they were given such a retirement award.

[capt. norm]

The gap between two-star admirals and three-star admirals is the three-star admirals have a better knowledge of what to kiss and when.