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

Only if they came up in the ranks like everyone else by being promoted commissioned. Appointments no, like the Surgeon General, Doctors and other positions that are not commissioned officers I believe but could be wrong. Only commissioned officers can command a unit, company, battalion, regiment or other innities

Your basic premise is flawed. All officers (Maj and above) have to be confirmed by the Senate. Are you saying majors aren’t service members?

I can make this simple, Flag Officers are political because they have to answer questions to the politicians that appointed them. On the military side, generals and admiral only approve or disapprove recommendations from their staff. Most deals with administrative recommendations as well as approve operational plans and brief backs. The majority of generals I knew on a personal basis were prior commanders; I'd follow them to hell & back.

Wow, just wow. If you can’t respect those appointed over you, you need to leave the service. You crack on them having to be appointed through Congress. What are you smoking? If you can’t respect the person, at least respect the uniform. Sheesh!

I think most MOS’s have to have dual hats to navigate the rigors of military service and civilian cooperation. Generals/Admirals are no different

From what I have seen - I mostly agree. Along with a host of CSM's.

Given that every commission, from 2LT upward, requires Congressional approval, I guess you think all officers are politicians and not worthy of your respect. While it's true that there have been some "political generals" in US military history, and there may be, in some states, a political Adjutant General with no military experience, appointed by the Governor, it is not the norm. All of the Generals and Admirals had their time on the line. Whether you like them or not, you should respect that. They have a whole lot more experience and knowledge than you have, apparently, acquired to this point.

I think you are really, really mistaken and have zero idea of how things work higher up in the chain of command.

Of course they are.

I’m a maverick, 6 years enlisted up to Spec-6,E-6, then on to OCS and retired at 20 years as a Major, O-4. Every facet of military life is political, you know you must get “walks on water” efficiency reports or bye bye.