Trump Is Picking a Losing Fight With the Navy

[jpak]

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-11-20/trump-is-picking-a-losing-fight-with-the-navy-over-gallagher

The political scientist Richard Neustadt warned presidents a long time ago that governing by command — by giving orders, rather than bargaining and earning support — is dangerous. It tends to impose enormous costs, often only distantly connected to the president’s original action.

Sometimes, however, it’s a lot simpler than that. President Donald Trump hardly needs to be fighting another battle right now, but he seems to have created one for himself:

The Navy SEAL at the center of a high-profile war crimes case has been ordered to appear before Navy leaders Wednesday morning, and is expected to be notified that the Navy intends to oust him from the elite commando force, two Navy officials said on Tuesday.

The move could put the SEAL commander, Rear Adm. Collin Green, in direct conflict with President Trump, who last week cleared the sailor, Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, of any judicial punishment in the war crimes case. Military leaders opposed that action as well as Mr. Trump’s pardons of two soldiers involved in other murder cases.

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Go Navy!

Fuck Trump

[empedocles]

1. Great to see more and more stands being taken

[RockRaven]

2. Two things Trump loves which the Navy isn't all-in on: war crimes and steam. nt

[mr_lebowski]

3. Of course I very much want him to lose ...

My stepdad, AND his dad ... are Annapolis Grads ... my old man bunked with Roger Staubach for a time when they served together ... so I have a lotta respect for the USN ...

BUT ...

How do we know this is a losing fight? He's CiC. Pretty sure he can order these guys around any which way if he decides he really wants to.

I mean, the COUNTRY is definitely losing every moment this toolbag is in office, don't get me wrong. SO if that's what they mean by 'a losing fight', I get it.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

5. Gallagher needs to be UN-SEALED.

It's a losing fight because Cadet BoneSpurs McMushroom Dick is losing the military vote with his unnecessary, reckless interference with military matters waaaay over his head. Members of elite military units are held to a higher standard than the rest of the rank and file.
For a five-deferment, draft dodging, chicken shit, rich brat, he is ignoring our highest law in the military - the UCMJ - (and our codes of conduct and honor) and telling career military members to overlook this man's disgracing his team, his service, and his country. These are matters he cannot possibly understand.

This does not pass muster with us - active or retired.

Even if trumpie does intercede in this judgement, Gallagher will be toxic persona-non grata to everyone in the NAVY. Trust me, no one will want to be associated or serve with him. He's soiled himself in a way that cannot be justified. Or forgiven.

[Cha]

4. Everything trump touches

turns to shite.

[UTUSN]

6. K&R

[bluecollar2]

7. As a Navy veteran

I have some thoughts on this.

1) wearing the Navy uniform was a privilege and I was reminded from the first day of boot camp that everything I did as a sailor reflected that understanding.

2) I was expected to follow the General Orders to the letter and conduct myself appropriately.

3) When I was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer I was required to attend a "leadership" training session where it was made very clear to me that the standards of responsibility increased with every promotion.

4) The United States Navy is unique among the services in that the expectation to think independently about your actions as you are doing your duty rely on your sense of "teamwork" and creativity.

5) I was trained to think about making the best decision in any given situation based upon what I knew at the time and the circumstances.

6) if I made a decision that proved to be the wrong decision, but that decision was made based upon the information I had at the time the Navy would exonerate me and take up an investigation as to why I was put in that situation in the first place.

7) Under no circumstances would a deliberate decision to sully the reputation of the Navy be condoned. Any behaviour that reflected negatively upon the reputation of the Navy was subject to discipline up to a dishonorable discharge.


Having said all of that, I think it's fair to say I may have had a few "lapses of judgement"...usually a result of consumption of alcoholic beverages...but I can promise you a discussion with the Command Master Chief prior to meeting with the X.O. has a very reformative effect.

Pardoning, excusing, or otherwise forgiving the behaviour of these sailors is not in the best interest of good order and discipline.

I fully support the U.S. Navy if they choose to ensure that these sailors are disciplined, stripped of the privilege to wear the Trident and discharged from the Service.