Do you think a General or Admiral is still considered a servicemember in the eyes of their subordinates?

SSG(P) (Join to see), I think you fail to understand the jobs assigned to General and Flag Officers (GO/FO). I worked at the unified command and major command levels for over 20 years (military, contractor, and DAC) and had the opportunity to see what GO/FO actually do. You might think they are politicians, but the facts show they are military officers who have to deal with politicians on a regular basis. I spent time working with Air Force, Navy, and Army GO/FO and all of them felt the burden of working with appointed members of the Administration (Deputy Assistant Under Secretary of Something), Members of Congress and Senators, and the legions of staffers working for Congress-persons. In many cases the GO/FO spent a lot of time preparing for these Distinguished Visitors from DC. They were briefed on critical operational and budget issues and how the DV supported or failed to support the organization. They often had to digest a 4-inch binder of position papers on these issues and other issues their subordinates wanted to get in front of the Washington luminaries. (This is probably all done electronically now, so the GO/FO is reading on his laptop or phone.) Because of this part of their mission, you might think they are politicians. (Lay down with dogs, get up with fleas.) Actually the GO/FO-politician meetings I was in showed me that the GO/FO represented his or her command and mission very well. The politicians liked to ask what they thought were "Gotcha" questions, but almost all of the time the GO/FO were way ahead of them.

The other half of the GO/FO's time was spent actually trying to run the organization they were in charge of. They dealt with the really sticky problems. Budgetary issues, personnel cuts, UCMJ violations, and a seemingly never-ending stream of Presidential Directives, Operations Orders, Planning Directives and lots of other stuff all requiring their approval or decision to keep the place functioning. One of my favorite quotes from H.T. Johnson, Gen, USAF, and US Commander in Chief Transportation, "Any staff work that takes longer than four to six weeks probably isn't worth doing." He was right, but it didn't stop the folks in the Pentagon from generating questions requiring at least that much time to answer.

I never determined the political affiliation of any of the GO/FO I worked around. Many were men and women of strong moral conviction and readily admitted their faith in God. They were often humbled by the power and responsibility they had been given. I'm reasonably confident they voted in elections, but never said whom they voted for. Overall, they are military professionals working at a much different level than you or me.

I think you and I should sit down sometime and you can tell me everything you know about military service and then after that 5 minutes is up I’ll correct all of your misconceptions

Yes. And I think Lt Col Jim Coe gave a very informative and eloquent response. You would do well to read what he wrote

Yes - absolutely yes - in answer to the first question. No real thoughts yet on your commentary - some things require more than a hip-shot answer.

All due respect SPC Voye, but any officer to be promoted to the rank of Major (or Lt Commander for USN and USCG) must be confirmed by the Senate. It’s US Law. And most General and Flag officers strive extremely hard to maintain an apolitical public posture. We swear to support and defend the constitution of these United States, NOT a political party.

SPC(P) Voye, It saddens me to see a post like this from a soldier, any soldier, much less one who is looking for a promotion. Not one general or admiral made their rank as a "politician" as you call them. They, just like enlisted folks, did their time, punched their tickets along the way to get to the rank they earned. Yes earned. Sure, there are some "bad apples" out there, just like in the NCO corps but to call anyone a politician who serves our country as you do is disrespectful of the time and effort they put in to get there. I also read Lt. Col Jim Coe's very well written and informative response. You should take a moment and read it. Yes, they are still service members, subject to UCMJ - Just Like You!

What? Of course they are service members. It's not a matter of opinion. They put in more time and work than 99% of the other military service members.
It almost seems like you have a chip on your shoulder. Did something happen? Do you have a negative attitude? Am I just misinterpreting things?

I disagree. All Generals and Admirals deserve the respect earned by their rank and servicemembers recognize this. I would have like to see the reaction if someone had called Lt. Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller a politician.

https://www.military.com/marine-corps/5-reasons-why-chesty-puller-marine-corps-legend.html

I believe that your oath states you will obey the orders of the officers appointed over you. And unless something has changed drastically in the last minute, a General is still and officer.

I have various opinions. While on Active Duty, the high ranking Officers I encountered were tow Generals and they were MOT politicians. The CH in Germany was ‘Psychotic’ based upon his orders caused the death of six Soldiers in 1986-87! That being said; working as a Civilian (post Active Duty), the CH and several other Generals I worked with and socialized with were NOT politicians! They demonstrated genuine concern and care for the Marines under their Command. However; after hearing testimony’ at the so-called’ impeachment hearings, Those Officers struck me as ignorant and disrespectful political pawns! Just MY two cents!