There is another diary by Richard Lyon, posted earlier today on this topic. My opinion on the topic exceeds the length of a diary comment. My basic concern, for some time now, has been the right wing politicization of our military.
The other outrage, imho, is the failure of military leaders to accept that President Obama, as the Commander in Chief, sets the policies for the DoD, and our military. A soldier's duty is to follow orders, not to promote political policy. Military officers who are going public with their opposition of a repeal of DADT are wrapping themselves in the flag of patriotism. Are they masking homophobia with the claim that a repeal would divide military units and hurt troop readiness?
More below the fold
There are two military officers who are currently in the news for their opposition to DADT. What do we know about Lt. General Benjamin Mixon, Commander, Army, Pacific, and Commandant James Conway, Marine Corps? Should President Obama have issued a reprimand for continued public opposition to DADT by these military officers?
What is being reported today about what these men have said.
http://news.yahoo.com/...
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Some military officials, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Mike Mullen, say they agree it's time to reverse the law. But other uniformed officers with impressive service records, including Marine Corps Commandant James Conway, have said the law is helping to keep order and discipline and that lifting the ban during a time of two wars could be too disruptive.
I thought order and discipline was the responsibility of military officers. Are they actually saying that subordinates would risk punishment by failing to obey a direct order?
In an interview this week with Congressional Quarterly, the Army's Casey said he doesn't think the majority of troops support a repeal, even though he would conduct the study ordered by Gates to determine if that was true. In a separate interview with Military.com, Conway pointed to logistical hurdles in repealing the ban and said he wouldn't force Marines to share rooms with gay service members on base.
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But unsolicited pushback — particularly by senior uniformed officers — could help to mobilize resistance within the ranks that would make it difficult to lift the ban without dividing military units and hurting troop readiness.
What arrogance for Casey to say that he "doesn't think the majority of troops support a repeal" without any factual evidence. Wonder what the study he didn't conduct until ordered by Gates will reveal? Will it ever happen, will those conducting the study stall, slant the survey to achieve the result their commander desires?
Conway was born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, Mixon graduated from North Georgia College, Casey was appointed by G.W. Bush. They were also promoted during the Bush administration, and served during the Iraq invasion and occupation. They all publicly supported the Iraq invasion. This alone is not sufficient to tie them to right wing ideology. It does beg the question of why they feel empowered under a new President to stand in opposition to his policies.
"Now is the time," Mixon said, "to write your elected officials and chain of command and express your views. If those of us who are in favor of retaining the current policy do not speak up, there is no chance to retain the current policy."
I am disappointed that President Obama's response was, well, extremely tepid.
No formal reprimand for general who pushed gay ban
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But Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon's civilian boss says the three-star Army general won't receive a letter of reprimand or be forced to step down. Army Secretary John McHugh told reporters Wednesday that Mixon has been told by Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey that what he did was inappropriate.
It is also my concern that President Obama's nice guy approach will be perceived by these officers as a sign of weakness, undeserving of respect. If a reprimand is not in order, how about an assignment in BFE?
What do you think, am I overreacting?