This certainly has to be demoralizing for the front line troops. But these events do demonstrate one truth: that personal morality does matter. I think at one time the military leaders were honourable men who took seriously their oath to protect the country, but who became part of the compromising culture of Washington. In order to get ahead they started to compromise their principles and are now at the point where they put the interests of their country and the safety of their men behind social climbing and satisfying their narcissistic impulses. Remember, these are the same men who cheerlead for politicians who inserted female soldiers into combat positions (then shielded those women from the really dangerous assignments) and are now promoting homosexuality in the armed forces. They know that permitting these atrocities is damaging to America’s safety but their first priority is their own privileged place in the Washington establishment.
I guess it comes as some small relief that the generals are chasing skirts and not boys.