An unprecedented military rejection of civilian leadership

i don't think there's any way of overstating how huge a shift this really is...

In going public with their criticism, the generals have broken an informal code of silence among officers that is rooted in the longstanding reluctance of the military to openly challenge the civilian leadership of the Defense Department.

when someone arrives at the rank of general officer, particularly of the two-star and up variety, he's passed multiple "litmus tests" and proven himself to be a solid and responsible military officer that fits an extremely traditional mold... to declare the civilian defense chief "unfit to lead" is simply extraordinary...

The retired generals, in effect, have declared Mr. Rumsfeld unfit to lead the nation's military forces as the United States faces crucial decisions on how to extricate itself from Iraq and what to do about Iran's nuclear program.

why is it so extraordinary...? the dictates of that "traditional mold" are quite clear and, up until now, have been carved in stone...

American military officers have a deep respect for civilian authority and a tradition of keeping their differences over policy within the family. They tend to believe that operating within the system is a more effective means of influencing major military decisions than resigning in protest.

even more extraordinary is that it was relatively spontaneous...

The retired generals who have come forward this time say their criticism has not been coordinated. Rather, the first critiques seem to have encouraged others, who have been wrestling over whether to express their grievances publicly.

putting this criticism in its full context demonstrates a rejection of a civilian commander's leadership unprecedented in u.s. history... it is a measure of just how bad things have gotten in the united states of america that something like this could even be taking place...

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