So this whole kerfuffle over illegal orders has ginned up some controversy. Senator Mark Kelly and whatshername Slotkin are being called to account for their indiscretion. As well they should.
Slotkin gave an interview where she claimed that she knew of no illegal orders that the President had given. She acts as if the whole controversy was framed as an educational exercise, to let junior officers and enlisted know that they should check with JAG officers if they the ink an order is illegal.
Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, is in the limelight. Supposedly, SecWar Hegseth is launching an investigation to see if Kelly violated any portion of the UCMJ by his participation in that video. Captain Mark Kelly, USN (retired) may soon learn that he has not been relieved of his obligation. He may find himself before a board of his peers to explain himself. An officer might disagree with the President privately, but to do so publicly puts him at risk both criminally and financially.
I was taught as a young officer that discretion is the better part of valor. You may disagree with your superiors, but you had better be damned sure that you are right, and you must be willing to suffer the consequences of being right.
I recall once that I was given an order that I thought was a bit shaky. I asked for that order in writing. When he asked my why, I simply explained that at my Courts-Martial, I could present an affirmative defense. He backed off and modified the order so that it would not conflict with regulation.
There are ways to "buck" an order. YouTube is not the way to do that.
My understanding is officers have signed a lifetime commitment to the US Government in that you can be 'called up' at any time to resume your service. Whereas an enlisted person, once they get their six years in, is no longer obligated to serve. So if I understand this correctly, Kelly shot himself in the foot.
ReplyDeleteKelly seemed to forget he could be recalled... Now it may just bite him in the butt, as it should.
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