[PGalt]

Let's assume for a moment that the reporter didn't feed the question and the enlisted man asks it on his own, does this violate the chain of command?

That I do not know. I do know that if I were a young soldier given the opportunity to speak to the Secretary of Defense, I would not have asked that question. It would be a little bit of intimidation but mostly out of respect.

I do appreciate YOUR questions however.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"I do appreciate YOUR questions however."

Thank you. I also wouldn't have asked that question. I wasn't trying to be facetious here. I haven't read much about the story. From my perspective, any question is a valid question as long as it was asked with respect.

I don't know how the soldier asked the question. I don't know much about a reporter encouraging a soldier to ask it. The only thing I heard was on the radio and that played back the question and the SecDefs response.