Posted on Nov 3, 2015
Could you serve under a Commander-in-Chief you don't respect?
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COMPLETE INTERVIEW: Bill Maher Interviewes Tulsi Gabbard on Real Time LIVE (10/31/2015)
Bill Maher tonight spoke with Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard about an issue they agree on: the frustrating refusal of President Obama to accept “Isla...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unsdKAvTq9o
Once upon a time we had two political parties that shared common goals though disagreed on the best strategy to achieve them. Regardless of who was elected, we could at least respect them. Sadly, an ideology that appears to some/many/me to be at odds with preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution has emerged and taken root in the established leadership of one of the major American parties. The President appears to be one of its leading proponents and I can honestly say that if I were serving today, I would have resigned my commission rather than serve under him.
As I viewed the video of Bill Maher interviewing Representative Tulsi Gabbard I was relieved to find that the true heart of the Democratic Party may still be beating. I suspect that I would have no difficulty serving under her Administration, or at least respecting her in my current role of a mere citizen. How about you? Does she exemplify the type of Democrat you wished would drive that party today?
I can't help but also observe how screwed up things have become when Bill Maher begins to sound reasonable...
Once upon a time we had two political parties that shared common goals though disagreed on the best strategy to achieve them. Regardless of who was elected, we could at least respect them. Sadly, an ideology that appears to some/many/me to be at odds with preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution has emerged and taken root in the established leadership of one of the major American parties. The President appears to be one of its leading proponents and I can honestly say that if I were serving today, I would have resigned my commission rather than serve under him.
As I viewed the video of Bill Maher interviewing Representative Tulsi Gabbard I was relieved to find that the true heart of the Democratic Party may still be beating. I suspect that I would have no difficulty serving under her Administration, or at least respecting her in my current role of a mere citizen. How about you? Does she exemplify the type of Democrat you wished would drive that party today?
I can't help but also observe how screwed up things have become when Bill Maher begins to sound reasonable...
Posted in these groups: 
Leadership
Leadership
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 49
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Yes, no question about it. That is on of the core principals when serving within the military. Presidents and politics change. If everyone agreed to this, you would have mass service members exiting every 4/8 years. It would be a different story if there were no term limits and etc.
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When you take the oath, you give up the freedom to choose which officers you serve under. You are a servant of our great nation. I've served under a couple of Presidents that would not have angst about sending to meet God. That doesn't matter. What matters is that I love my country, defend it against all enemies, and that I kept my mouth shut about what I thought about my superior officers until I was no longer subject to UCMJ. If someone had tried to kill Clinton on my watch, I would have stopped that attempt - certainly not out of love for the man, but out of devotion to our nation. Like him or not, he was our President - and no honorable soldier could allow harm to come to the person holding that office. (*Special note to Bill: I'm not subject to UCMJ any longer, mind if I hire Chelsea and show her how female employees are supposed to be treated?)
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I did, 1989 - 1994. I also served under Senior NCO's and officers that I believed were undeserving of their rank and position. None ever asked me to do anything I morally disagreed with, so when I found myself irritated by the situation, I did the job and filed the memory away to be revisited when it came time to reenlist. There was enough there that I chose not to reenlist (shocking everybody that someone so "hard charging" wasn't staying in.)
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Did it several times on board aircraft carriers. There was a very loud cheer when the first CO of Nimitz left, and it went on for five minutes.
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To me its not about the man who occupies the office, its about the office. We're supposed to be mature and professionals so whomever is occupying the office shouldn't be an issue. Addittionaly when I enlisted I swore to "Obey the orders of the President of the United States of America and the orders of the Officers appointed over me." So it really doesn't matter if I respect the man holding the office but I swore an oath to follow his orders (not blindly follow but to still follow).
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We have been doing it for decades now! America once had a high level for them! But that dynamic is now changing!
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I know it cliche, but...."Been there and done that". But Service life was always all about my guys and my direct leadership. I want our leaders in Washington to do well, don't get me wrong. But for over 25 years I really didn't think about ANYONE above brigade level. It worked for me. That said, I'm glad to be retired. I miss friends and the young version of myself, but I'm too old and sore for that stuff. Interesting question and I always look forward to your responses CPT Jack Durish !
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CPT (Join to see)
Of couse I can, and I have before. A feeling of respect is not required of us, only an outward display and obedience to lawful orders.
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I've had to a few times. When I swore to protect and defend, there was no clause that said "serve at your discretion", it's sorta cut and dry. It is what it is..
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Yes - CiC's come and go every 4-8 years...careers are just that, careers. No different than working for a large corporation, in which you disagree or dislike the CEO - but at your level, is it worth seeking a new career/job? At least we know our "CEO" will change every 4-8 years, guaranteed.
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