[cookcounty]

"“Lt. General Mclnerney: There is only one person who can say, stand down. And that is the President of the United States."

My service was a very long time ago, but it seems to me this is not actually accurate. Not to be defending the Administration, but unless a specific order from the President was given to move (which does not appear to be the case), is this accurate? When I was was in, a General or a Colonel could absolutely countermand the order or activity of a subordinate, and I highly doubt this has changed.

[VideoDoctor]

I think when referring to "commands" issued in the course of attack in a global event, then "stand down" is an order that usually ONLY would eminate from the President.

What the General was stating was that in ALL cases when American lives are at stake we never leave people behind. In those cases we DO NOT "stand down."