Should Senior Officers Resign in Protest?

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:46:04 -0400

Not my original question ... I saw it at foreignpolicy.com.

What does the RallyPoint community think?

http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2014/10/07/should_senior_military_officers_resign_in_protest_if_obama_disregards_their_advice

Should Senior Military Officers Resign in Protest if Obama Disregards Their Advice?

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 7 at 2014 6:52 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:52:31 -0400

I guess people are going to do what they have to do, but I've always tried to live by the saying "be the change you want to see in the world" so no, don't run away from the problem. Fix it.

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 7 at 2014 11:32 PM

Cpl Chris Rice — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 23:32:45 -0400

This is what they are paid to do right, to give advice, and to execute the orders of the President. I mean what is the point of having a President if there is backlash because he made a decision. The Military Leadership is beholden to the President, and thus to the American people, not the other way around. I consider the record and the legacy of those Generals independent of the conduct of the Executive, much like I would not hold a Private responsible for the decisions of a Sergeant. In the end I would hope they ask what purpose my resignation would serve. My foresight says it will most likely insert them into a political incident they are ill equipped to win without siding with partisans who will take the issue and insert their own grievances to the extent that they are nothing more than mascots, or they will be fodder to the political machine of that particular President.

Rant aside they should continue to give the best advice they can provide, and hopefully it at least steers the conversation into the best possible direction.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 9 at 2014 7:27 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 19:27:07 -0400

Unfortunately as he's the boss you do what the boss tells you unless its an unlawful order. In knowing the unlikely success rate their experience will help in mitigating losses.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Dec 24 at 2015 1:51 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:51:27 -0500

I would like to think that those officers in those positions are doing their best by providing the best information to the President so that he can make the best decision.
I would not trust someone who decides its time to resign because they are butt hurt over someone not taking their advice.
I am pretty certain that they have had their advice ignored numerous times over their career and if they didn't resign then why do it now.
Every leader has to take the advice and weigh it, in the end its the leaders decision to make based on the advice given. All you can do is offer your expert advice and give a strong enough argument as to why its the best option.