Military chiefs split with Mullen on gays--Deal rushes repeal of ban (Mullen flipped)

The Washington Times ^ | June 1, 2010 | Rowan Scarborough

[jazusamo]

The debate over gays in the military has driven an extraordinary public wedge between the nation's highest-ranking military officer and the four service chiefs who collectively make up the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Adm. Mike Mullen, Joint Chiefs chairman, in February first broke with the chiefs of the Navy, Air Force, Army and Marine Corps by endorsing President Obama's campaign pledge to end the military's ban on open homosexuals.

The gap widened last week. Adm. Mullen approved a White House deal for Congress to go ahead with a vote on repeal of the law barring openly gay members from the military, rather than waiting for completion in December of a Pentagon study that is seeking the views of troops. Adm. Mullen's move brought an instant rebuttal from the four chiefs in the form of letters to Congress urging lawmakers not to hold the vote.

In fact, the service chiefs did not see the Pentagon-White House-congressional deal to rush a vote until after the administration announced it May 24, Pentagon officials said.

Retired Air Force Gen. Charles Horner, who opposes lifting the ban, said he has never seen such a significant public split between the chiefs and the chairman.

"The chairman is deeply beholden to the secretary of defense and the president," said the former four-star officer, who directed the 1991 air war against Iraq. "He is in a tougher position than the service chiefs. And also the service chiefs are more directly concerned with things like readiness and personnel policies. I can see where this split occurs, for understandable reasons."

Asked whether he had ever witnessed such public disagreement with the four-star officers who run the military, Mr. Horner answered, "No, I have not."

[paddles]

ADM Mullen is a moral coward.

[paddles]

ADM Mullen is a moral coward.

[ops33]

“...former four-star officer.”

Writer revealing his ignorance of the military. General Horner is retired, he still is a 4 star officer.

[ops33]

I don’t see how this benefits the Dems in the November election. Whoever was going to support the Dems because of their stand on any gay oriented issue would most likely vote the Dems anyway, regardless of whether or not DADT is repealed or not. They were going to get their votes regardless.

[Beckwith]

In an Oval Office showdown, Obama told Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Gen. David Petraeus that he was "exceedingly unhappy" with the Pentagon's conduct, Alter reported, adding that its leaks to the press were "disrespectful of the process."

"This was a cold and bracing meeting," an attendee said of the encounter, where Obama demanded to know "here and now" if the Pentagon would be onboard with any presidential strategy.

It apparently worked: Petraeus later described himself as "chagrined," and both he and Gates "swore loyalty" to the President. Obama eventually supported a troop buildup.

Source

WTF! -- "he [Petraeus] and Gates "swore loyalty" to the President.

WTF! -- they can't do that! -- military officers swear to defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic -- military officers have no business swearing loyalty to a man -- this isn't NAZI Germany -- or is it?

[roaddog727]

It was a sad day indeed when GEN Pace Left as Chairman. A super guy.

[OldDeckHand]

'It was a sad day indeed when GEN Pace Left as Chairman. A super guy."

I couldn't agree more. It was a HUGE mistake not to renominate Pace. This, of course, can all be traced back to Gates, another HUGE mistake himself.

[roaddog727]

“This, of course, can all be traced back to Gates, another HUGE mistake himself.”

Agreed.

[A.A. Cunningham]

it doesn't speak well for a man of integrity.

Mullen wouldn't know integrity if it slapped him in the piehole.

[jazusamo]

Mullen wouldn't know integrity if it slapped him in the piehole.

Amen to that.

[kabar]

It will hurt them with veterans and people who don't support the gay agenda, which includes the religious right and others. Elections are about turnout. If you piss off people, they are more likely to vote than those who aren't. And for those on the fence, ramming this thru without waiting for the DOD report smacks of political opportunism.

And the Dems really don't care if they can get their agenda passed. Obamacare is going to hurt them at the polls, but they got what they wanted passed, which they have tried for decades. Repealing all of this is going to be difficult and lengthy. And many Reps don't have the stomach to do it.