Do you think it is appropriate for retired military leaders to publicly endorse political candidates?

Sure, why not? They are Americans and have a right to endorse or even run as a political candidate once they have retired.

Honestly I don't think it matters in any way and people put too much stock in an endorsement. All an endorsement is telling people is that you're going to vote for them... Whoop di doo... That's still a whopping 1 vote for X candidate. Besides, they're retired... they're entitled to their own opinions much in the same way celebrities and other talking heads are.

Our CO spoke about this today. Veterans are well within their right to endorse whomever they choose. However, in my personal opinion, we, as Veterans, should endorse someone without bringing our prior service affiliation into it. For all of those on active duty, you are prohibited from publicly endorsing a candidate when in uniform or where you mention your service affiliation.