The military is full of young people. Their nature is to chafe against its rigidity. I did the same when I was young, but as one ages, one develops a different perspective on why things are the way they are. What seemed like an insufferable affront back when often loses its sting and perceived urgency in later light.
>I did the same when I was young, but as one ages, one develops a different perspective on why things are the way they are. What seemed like an insufferable affront back when often loses its sting and perceived urgency in later light.
Agreed. It is probably a good thing that I tend to be one of those guys who has wonderful “comebacks” appear in-head after the situation’s become rather moot; combined with my tendency to avoid conflict it probably kept me out of a *lot* of trouble.
>The military is full of young people. Their nature is to chafe against its rigidity.
Agreed, somewhat; though this isn’t what the incident illustrated. What the particular incident illustrated is an NCO’s demand of respect w/o giving any in return. If EVERY member of the military is sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution then doesn’t it stand to reason that EVERY member in the military should also have a clear understanding of what the Constitution is, says, and is about?
It would be morally equivalent to a sergeant telling a subordinate to shut up if he were to bring up an honest question about what to do during a certain set of circumstances. Like, for example, asking for clarification on two contradictory objectives; is it more desirable/important to catch bin Laden [alive] OR to cripple his organization?