"Change in Command, Not Opinion"

As a former "non-com", I was privileged to have private conversations with many officers in many situations. I've exchanged private thoughts with platoon level officers, brigade level officers, and some command level officers. All conversation was held in confidence; this was understood, and policy of the military. A fly on the wall at any of those conversations would have heard some very interesting comments about some very prominent political leaders of the day. I heard the words "bumbling morons", used in reference to several members of Congress and the White House, on numerous occasions. This was years before George Bush or Barack Obama. Men in uniform have opinions, yet, most of the time these opinions are kept private. We respect the chain of command and we exercise confidentiality. A Commander-in-Chief, regardless of who he is, deserves a united front from his military; especially in time of war.

Earlier this week, General Stanley McChrystal resigned his post as commander in the war in Afghanistan, after an article in Rolling Stone magazine revealed comments from McChrystal and his aides that were less than complimentary about the current administration and its policy in Afghanistan.

McChrystal's mistake was letting the "fox in the hen house". He never should have allowed anyone from the media to get into the personal conversations of he and his men. I believe part of this mistake is because McChrystal is a "soldiers' commander"; he is all business, not political. He has proven himself in combat; he's gotten his fingernails dirty and understands what is necessary to attain victory in a very practical way. He's used to candor; not always an asset to politicians. Honesty is fine, just not in public.

Barack Obama really had no other option than accepting McChrystal's "resignation". Although, I'm sure he took some pleasure from this act, as Mr. Obama doesn't respond well to criticism of any type from anyone. My personal opinion is this is a giant blow to Obama's ego; it publicly raises a question about his leadership capabilities. I wish I could be around at those Joint Chief meetings; I'll bet they have opinions too. Now, all of this lands in Obama's lap, win, lose, or draw!