Upper brass in the military are no different than anyone else who has had a long job career with one company. They spend years of their life getting to the top in anticipation that someday they can/will retire (yes comfortably). That being said, which one of us, having spent years on the job would not want to protect that long term investment in our future? (Probably not many).
To make matters worse, your a-hole boss says, “This is my policy, take it or leave”. You consider your options, go against the grain (your beliefs) and follow the bosses orders or, leave and risk loosing what you have spent years building. IMO, its called “Blackmail”.
Would you really want every moral person in the military to resign?
This no different than what teachers in NYC and other cities are being faced with. Veteran teachers who know what works and what doesn’t are being confronted with the same choice. Throw away the many years you dedicated to teaching kids and resign or retire—sacrificing pension dollars you are desperately going to need in the land of ever-rising prices—or teach Commie Core and all the other stuff you KNOW is wrong.
All the general officers on active duty when Barry Bathhouse ordered the sodomization of the military could have resigned on the spot. Everyone of them had the required 20 years of active duty for retirement.
I have been in that situation. I left. I was told that I would never rise up the ladder because of my ethics.
So be it. See I was raised to take a stand if needed, and to know that the stand will result in you getting hit. My Grandfather and Father taught me many things, this is one of the major lessons that I have followed all my life, and will continue to.
I will not compromise my morals or ethics. That means I make many very angry, most of whom did compromise.
which one of us, having spent years on the job would not want to protect that long term investment in our future? (Probably not many).
Retaliation is the claim in many workplace lawsuits. In this case, freedom of religion may enter into it also.
The comparison is not valid. Can you imagine the political firestorm if all of the JCS resigned because they believed this policy would hurt the operational effectiveness of the military? Obama would have retreated from this red line as he has so many others. The only way to stand up to a bully is to call his bluff.
You are correct.
There’s also the attitude within the ranks of, “I survived the last four presidents - I can outlast this one.”
We see policy come and go and the next guy swings it back the other way. Because of the change in the political winds from year to year, you just hunker down through the bad stuff and wait for common sense to return.
When it comes to retirement. . .generals (flag rank) are in a position where retirement is not a hardship financially.
Most officers wish to rise in rank because it makes a nicer retirement, but also they wish to rise in rank because they can make their “world” “better.”
After decades of suffering fools then they get in a position of leadership, they can now run their world (to an extent), protect those under them.
Sadly, we did not have a revolt of the admirals when the big zero came onboard. If they retired together the message would have been loud and clear, instead, these weak spirited generals now are more concerned about getting a guest spot on MSNBC and CBS, MSM than doing their job. Doesn't save them, going along with the big zero. He is weeding out the “old” boys so he can ‘stuff’ the girly-boys into leadership positions.
Sad. . .
“Upper brass in the military are no different than anyone else who has had a long job career with one company. They spend years of their life getting to the top in anticipation that someday they can/will retire “
These turds expect subordinates to follow their orders which will likely result in that very person’s death. They ARE different, and if they want to be in the corporate world, they can go there. More is expected of these SOBs.
Their subordinates must risk their very life, but they will not risk a paycheck? BS, he should have resigned. By not doing so, he became a traitor.