Ten Questions for a Four-Star General (Retired)
Feb. 25, 2011
I have a series of pointed questions for a four-star general. An admiral would also qualify.
These questions relate to the morale of the troops. If morale falls, the ability of the military to fulfill irs mission declines.
These questions also relate to the ability of officers to command. If subordinates seek out ways to avoid obeying, which subordinates have done from time immemorial, the ability of the military to fulfill its mission declines.
These are not hypothetical questions.
1. Do sexual liaisons within the ranks create jealousy within the ranks? In all other institutions, they do.
2. Does jealousy within the ranks undermine loyalty within the ranks?. In all other institutions, it does.
3. Does the reduction of loyalty within the ranks affect performance negatively? In all other institutions, it does.
4. Does the phrase "rank has its privileges" apply to the establishment of sexual liaisons within the ranks? If it doesn't, explain how rank does not have this particular privilege.
5. Would sexual liaisons between commissioned officers and non-coms create jealousy among non-coms?. If not, please explain why not.
6. Would sexual liaisons between commissioned officers and non-coms lead to suspicions of favoritism, both among commissioned officers and non-coms?. If not, please explain why not.
7. Does the traditional military "buddy system" apply to male-female relationships in ways different from male-male relationships?. If not, please explain why not. If it does, please what the implications are for military discipline.
8. Will a man's role of protecting women affect his battlefield performance if his buddy is female? If not, why not?
9. Do these issues also affect male-male sexual liaisons? If not, please explain.
10. Technology aside, is today's military better prepared or less prepared for combat than the military in the Korean War or earlier? Please explain.
I ask these questions of retired senior officers, because I do not think that any active duty officer, from second lieutenant up, would go public with anything like his real opinions. His career would go off the track, permanently.
A four-star officer would receive a call from the Secretary of Defense or the Commander-in-Chief.
I think four-star generals have more courage under literal fire than courage under political fire. They are trained to display the former. They are trained not to display the latter.
As a student of military history, I am unaware of any military organization that has performed well under fire in which (1) women are part of the chain of command, and (2) open enlistment of homosexuals has been allowed. The reason for my lack of knowledge in these area is that there has never been a military system that has allowed both. This is why senior retired officers should speak out publicly about these related issues.
These issues have not been debated in full public view. Yet the policies are now official.
I would like retired senior military officers to tell. So, I am asking.