There in lies the problem with every officer above full bird. You must become a politician yourself and kiss the rings of the powers “that be” - house and senate - if you expect to get promoted. I can’t count the number of flag officers in my life time who have changed their allegiance during their career to comport with the political winds.
“Tiger, one day you will come to a fork in the road and you’re going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go. He raised his hand and pointed. “If you go that way you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and you will get good assignments.” Then Boyd raised his other hand and pointed in another direction. “Or you can go that way and you can do something- something for your country and for your Air Force and for yourself. If you decide you want to do something, you may not get promoted and you may not get the good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won’t have to compromise yourself. You will be true to your friends and to yourself. And your work might make a difference. To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do? Which way will you go?
”
John Boyd
Yep, a very apt posting. We rightfully show much respect for the US military and the people who serve, but, also, no one should forget that there is no bigger collection of bureaucratic butt kissers than in the upper officer ranks of the US armed forces.