Why is it so important for retired leaders to stay out of politics?

We all have a right to support candidates of our choosing, but it is inappropriate to do so in uniform, or to infer that our personal views in anyway represent any thing other than our own personal preference.

I disagree with the premise of your question. Once retired, I'd like our military veterans to be more engaged with forging the course of the nation through political discourse.

On a related note; I'd like to see Generals being aligned more to the mission and men than the Commander-in-Chief/politicians. I want the first General that receives an order to go to war to determine how. I want their plans to be debated but ultimately approved prior to mass deployment.

We don't want the private /Lieutenant asking why or how we go to war but someone needs to and a General should have the experience to best accomplish the job. Our founders wrote the constitution to task congress with this job but congress is broken and hasn't declared war on a country since WWII.

So, if Congress refuses to do it, I want our Generals (like Gen Shinseki did under Bush II) to call BS on the wars & war planning that puts our privates/lieutenants lives & mission at greater risk. The General may get sacked but they've already secured their retirement and the politician knows that sacking a General puts the politician at risk & responsible for the action.

I prefer to hear others opinions, even if they are stupid or wrong, It helps me make decisions and encourages me to be involved.

Do not allow politicians to "co-opt" the Military with their spin B.S. Personal ideas/ideals are better left to the ballot box. Allowing yourself subject to these kind of people only reduces our integrity and Honor.

There is nothing wrong about being involved in politics. After all, we have had generals become presidents throughout our history, from Washington to Eisenhower. And we have retired military members serving in Congress (we need more). But they all should use sound judgment and reflect the professionalism that is expected of their military rank. They certainly should refrain from outrageous actions or leading inappropriate chants, such as LtGen Flynn did at the RNC. I don't say that because I'm a Democrat (I'm an Independent), but the scene just appeared to be an inappropriate disply of "mud level" politics. Of course, it did fit in with the overall way that Trump conducts himself in both his personal life and his new political involvement. God help us!

Once retired, they are private citizens and have the freedom to run for office or publicly support individuals parties pursuing office. While in uniform, they must remain silent.

Maybe I've been out too long but I don't see any reason why we can't participate in democracy (now that we're out :))? I think it's a good idea that the people hear from those who are willing to give all in order to preserve it. It's why I did what I did so to speak. The problem with politics is that it's full of politicians who are completely disconnected with the people and especially military service. To paraphrase our 2nd General Order to be always vigilant on point and to report everything, why do you think it's a bad idea for us to not report and give opinion on current events?

I spent 27 years in the military unable to express my opinions. Once I retired those restrictions went away when I became a civilian again. I and these other retirees no longer come under the UCMJ and are covered by one document - The Constitution. They have rights under the 1st Amendment and they should express them as they see fit.

Retirees regardless of rank are not forbidden by law from expressing support for a political candidate. I prefer they stay out of politics, but they have the same rights as any citizen to express their support for a candidate they like.

Well look at how many retired generals have ran for office. How many of them have been the president. Also why not they are retired and don't speak for the military anymore they speak from themselves. As long as they are not still active I don't see why it matters.