Is the only way that an American general can effectively express his opinion to retire and write a book?

Question

Gen. Shinseki told Bush and Rumsfeld 4 hundred thousand troops minimum were needed in Iraq, and was fired.
He was right.
Can a serving general disagree and not get fired?

I am a veteran, and know that generals can't opine in public. Can they freely express opinions in closed session without fear during the Bush Admin?

Answer 1

While in the service you are very constrained in what you may or may not say On my last deployment I was personally ordered to stay away from members of the press. It was not that my superiors feared that I may say something demoralizing to the troops, but rather I may have done something demoralizing to that press member. I'm still proud of that Anyway. You may have your own opinion and may express it privately, but are not allowed to express it in a public forum particularly if it may harm morale. This concerns politics.
However, yes you may, and rightfully disagree over a question of logistics and tactics, however, a general officer should know which side of the bread is buttered, in cases like this it's all politics logistically or not.
So effectively, yes. Retire and write that book.

Answer 2

It is the only legal way he can express his opinion PUBLICLY.

Everybody who's been in the military knows that the time for debate and argument is BEFORE a decision is made. After the decision, it is everybody's duty to make that decision work.

So while he may have proposed 400,000 troops, other generals and the SoD probably said they thought much fewer troops would be needed. I'm sure they all had valid points that supported their views.

So a decision was made by the President, and then everybody should have done their utmost to make it successful.

To disagree AFTER the decision is the wrong action. Again, everybody who's ever been in the military understands this - it has a deleterious effect on unit cohesion and ultimately on the successful achievement of the goals.

Also, remember that when you have a number of different people with extensive military backgrounds giving you conflicting opinions, generally one of them will be correct. When entering into a situation that has no precedent, you don't know which one it is until after you're far along the path.

So claiming that Bush didn't listen to his advisors is intellectually dishonest.

Answer 3

Nope, the UMCJ strictly forbids any and all negative comments or derogatory remarks against the Commander and Chief a/k/a the President. You can express you beliefs etc...in a meeting but once it goes public your in deep sh**. And before folks get all high and mighty about Bush making this rule it's the same for former Presidents as well. The Military laws are not the same as civilian... During President Clinton's deskcapades soldiers were being kicked out of the military for committing the same type of actions. Adultery is still illegal in the military whereas civilian sector seems to find it more acceptable.

Answer 4

A General on active duty better be very careful what he says in public, there could be serious repercussions for him. It is not a good idea for any active duty soldier to disagree with the policies of his Government and President. General Mac Carthy found this out during the Second World War when he disagreed with President Truman, he was forced into retirement. Freedom of Speech does not apply to active duty military, there is a price to pay for going against the policies.

Answer 5

A serving general can complain all he likes, but has signed a contract that says he'll do as he's told 'no matter what'.

He's a small cog in a much bigger wheel. If a cog gets too messed up, it gets replaced. No need to mention what happens to 'irrepairable cogs'.

America was never meant to 'Win' the war in Iraq.

It's merely a 'diversion' while the 'real' business of World control is put into place by 'The few'.

Check out 'Universal Soldier' below.

Pete.

Answer 6

Ahh, but the good General also wrote a report. And it wasn't just Bush and Rummy that read the report. Basically, when an expert such as General Shinseki makes an opinionated and filed report, Congress must review it to make their decision. So, for once, it wasn't Bush's sole fault... This was the conservative American government's fault.

And you can't get fired from the military; he was honorably discharged (I'm sure on the recommendation of Rummy, though).

Answer 7

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Answer 8

The military is the ultimate bureaucracy, and dissension is always supressed in any bureaucracy. Opinions on counterinsurgency operations are so varied that choosing one opinion among the many has to be difficult. Thank God we have officers who stick to their positions to the point of being fired or court-martialled. (Billy Mitchell jumps to mind). It's a proud tradition. And painfully, slowly, we learn and grow.

Answer 9

YES!! The General was not fired by anyone, He retired.
A general can disagree and not get fired, if he does not over their heads and start crying to the anti-American News Media.

Answer 10

Hind sight is 20/20

How many other suggestions were offered prior to the war that don't get any recognition?

Notice if you will the only suggestions that are popular today are those involving ignorance from the administration.