All general/admiral appointments are essentially Presidential appointments.
You especially don’t get that third or fourth star if you are not mouthing the company line.
Too many of these recent JCS Chairmen have been pure political appointees, not warriors. Peter Pace and Dick Myers were OK. Most of the other ones (Clinton, Carter, Obama appointees) were political maneuverers.
It’s not surprising that they all got rewards for their acquiescence - ambassadorships, Cabinet appointments.
Two of the four Joint Chiefs testify tomorrow (Dec. 3rd) are surely opposed to repealing DADT. The Marine and Army Chiefs.