Panetta orders Pentagon review of military commanders' behavior

[DonViejo]

Source: WaPo

Panetta orders Pentagon review of military commanders' behavior

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has ordered the Pentagon to find out why so many generals and admirals have become embroiled in legal and ethical problems, a trend exacerbated by recent investigations of two of the military’s best-known commanders.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/panetta-no-other-military-brass-appear-to-be-involved-in-petraeus-allen-scandal/2012/11/15/92427884-2f1b-11e2-ac4a-33b8b41fb531_story.html

[HereSince1628]

1. I must believe that the studies about corruptability of military leaders already exists.

US security forces have been actively trying to corrupt and compromise foreign military leaders for decades. Surely that wasn't done without studies.

During that time our adversaries have been trying to do the same thing to us.

For both offensive and defensive reasons, such studies have certainly been done.

Screw your theatrical request to waste money, Leon...pull up the damned PDFs and read them.

[mopinko]

2. look at their expense accounts.

i'm thinking their character would be shining through right there.

[Coyotl]

6. Do an inventory of guests on military jets to Paris and compare them to Playboy pinups

for starters!

Lots of things don't show up on expense accounts.

So, how much does a four-star general "earn"? A four-star general with 30 years of service makes $15,691 per month, over $188k per year.

[HereSince1628]

7. The truth is sometimes Generals are literally dumb fuckers.

They deserve to have 3 or 4 rank hungry subordinates (aging full-birds) eager to mow them down over their indiscretions.

If nothing else it would make the stars more discrete.

[Solly Mack]

3. lol. Seriously? Allow me to speed up the process.

At a certain level, general officers are little more than lobbyists for defense contractors, certain politicians, or some security consulting group/think tank/board, etc. General officers aspire. Oh, how they do aspire.

I've spent 20 + years around the military - in the company of general officers, as well - and know they are political creatures. Many are out for what they can get using their pretty little ribbons and brass. It's about the $$$ and what they can get once they do retire. Some want political fame - some want the consulting gigs, and some want both. While in uniform they entertain the defense industry giants and are entertained by them. Everything that is attached to lobbying in the civilian world (trips, freebies - women/men) can also be found within the military. It's an environment ripe for abuse.

Then there's the usual bad attributes of power - I'm the boss, it's my way or no way, influence over jobs/rank....same as it can be with any person in a position of power. You're top dog so you see yourself as entitled.

The lack of accountability that has gone on for years upon years. You can rightfully think of yourself us untouchable if accountability is for people with less rank, less power. Which is all too often how it plays out within the military.


I have no doubts that I will be amused by what the Pentagon has to say on the subject.

[GeorgeGist]

4. As if he doesn't know.

[slackmaster]

5. Everyone knows that generals are not supposed to take orders from their privates