One would think that General McChrystal (and his staff) would show more restraint when they knew what they said would most likely be published. I think this speaks to the type of Command Climate/Culture he allowed to permeate and exist.
It would be unfathomable for me to think of saying the same things to a reporter about my current (or any past) bosses/skippers/commodores. It's something an inexperienced ensign, midshipman, or junior enlisted might do. But for a 4-star and his staff to think that type of behavior is not only acceptable but funny--that's worrisome to me.
And for those who say, cut him some slack-these guys are the warfighters-with the boots on the ground-putting their lives at risk everyday-we couldn't know unless we were there fighting--I say those are BS excuses. Just because you are in combat doesn't mean ALL order and discipline go totally out the window...ESPECIALLY in front of a reporter.
I used to fly helicopters for the Navy. Now I work at U.S. embassies to build our mutual security cooperation/defense relationships. I'm also reading a novel from every country in Africa (33 so far). I'm in the process of moving these over to a dedicated website: www.beyondachebe.com. Most of my non-africa book reviews are now over at www.kruzoo.blogspot.com
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FAO Quotables
"But being right, even morally right, isn't everything. It is also important to be competent, to be consistent, and to be knowledgeable. It's important for your soldiers and diplomats to speak the language of the people you want to influence. It's important to understand the ethnic and tribal divisions of the place you hope to assist."
-Anne Applebaum
-Anne Applebaum
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Third Law of the Navy
Labels:
cooperation,
diplomacy,
General,
McChrystal,
military,
surge,
trust
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