Military Professionalism - United States Air Force Academy

less likely that things would change in this case. Officers have an ethical obligation to
make their concerns known to civilian leaders but this should be done in private. Also,
officers are most influential before a decision is made. Once the decision is made, it is
unlikely that it will be changed due to public criticism from retired officers.
Margolick, David. “The Night of the Generals.” Vanity Fair 560 (Apr. 2007): 246.
The six retired generals who stepped forward to publicly attack Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld's handling of the Iraq war had to overcome a culture of reticence based
on civilian control of the military. These six men individually called for Sec. Rumsfeld’s
resignation. Some scholars of military-civilian affairs said that the six imperiled civilian
control, undermined military mores and morale, and jeopardized the military meritocracy
and the trust between senior and junior officers. Critics said that the time for these men
to have spoken out was while they were still in uniform, through the chain of command.
Moten, Matthew. “Strengthening the Political-Military Relationship.” Foreign
Affairs 89.5 (Sept./Oct. 2010): 2-8.
In 2006, six retired generals publicly called for Rumsfeld to resign, and in 2008, multiple
retired officers spoke against the DOD on national television. By engaging in such
activities which are not allowed while on active duty, these officers could undermine
ongoing military campaigns when they provide advice without knowing the actual
situation in theater. These former officers should distance themselves from the armed
services and make it clear that they speak as private citizens and in no way represent the
views of the military.
Endorsement of political candidates
Becker, William R. Retired Generals and Partisan Politics: Is a Time-out Required?
Strategy Research Project. Carlisle Barracks: U.S. Army War College, 2001.
http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA391263
Retired general officer participation in partisan politics is increasing, and many in the
military and civilian sector believe this participation will politicize the military. The
United State military has a mixed history of apolitical behavior. This was proper when
the United States was isolated in its early history, when there were an adequate number of
veterans in governmental positions, and when the survival of the nation was at stake
during the Cold War. Today, the United States is the world's only superpower, there are
fewer veterans representing the military's interests in government, and future national
security strategy must contend with a vague, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world.
While the active duty military must stay non-partisan, retired general officer participation
in partisan politics will ensure national security strategy issues take a proper role in
public debate. The support for a candidate by a retired general officer should be provided
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