Believe what you wish.
You don’t think McCain and his cronies didn’t do their best to whitewash his background?
And what officer would leave a paper trail against an Admirals son that could scuttle his own career? Especially a prick like McCain who was more than happy to use his dad’s good name and reputation against anyone?
I’m a realist and some Officers would definitely use connections in a less than positive way. McCain was one of those officers.