Should The U.S. Military Remain Quiet (In Public) On The Syria Debate?

President Barack Obama, left, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stand for the national anthem during a remembrance ceremony for victims of the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon at the Pentagon Memorial, Sept. 11, 2013. The three leaders joined family members of those killed in the terrorist attack for the private ceremony. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

It Isn't The Military's Place To Weigh In On The Syria Debate -- James Joyner, The Atlantic

Far too many servicemembers have made their opinions public -- a violation of both ethics and the fundamental principle that in the U.S., civilians make policy.

America's generals and admirals, junior officers, and enlisted people overwhelmingly oppose military intervention in Syria. We should not know that.

Two weeks ago, Robert Scales, a retired Army two-star and former commandant of the Army War College, took to the op-ed pages of the Washington Post, writing that "after personal exchanges with dozens of active and retired soldiers in recent days," he could confidently assert that " the overwhelming opinion of serving professionals" was vehemently against strikes. And that, "They are embarrassed to be associated with the amateurism of the Obama administration’s attempts to craft a plan that makes strategic sense. None of the White House staff has any experience in war or understands it." Further, "They are repelled by the hypocrisy of a media blitz that warns against the return of Hitlerism but privately acknowledges that the motive for risking American lives is our 'responsibility to protect' the world’s innocents." Not only that: "They are outraged by the fact that what may happen is an act of war and a willingness to risk American lives to make up for a slip of the tongue about 'red lines.'"

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My Comment: Throughout history America's generals, admirals, junior officers, and enlisted men/women have always had strong opinions. And while they may not make their opinions public because of the tradition that it is civilians who dictate policy and not service members .... they certainly do make their opinions known privately, and it is these private discussions that inevitably end up public. But in today's world .... throw in the internet/social media/and 24/7 world news coverage .... a top general's private remarks .... if caught by a smart phone camera .... can become known globally within an hour. Case in point .... General McChrystal's aides disparaging President Obama and his administration with a Rolling Stone contributor that quickly resulted in General McChrystal's dismissal.

Yup .... the old rules no longer apply .... U.S. military culture has changed and is changing .... the importance of keeping secrets is diminishing with each passing year .... couple this with the fact that U.S. servicemembers are not zombies .... they do have opinions .... and while many will keep their opinions to themselves, many of them will still make their views and opinions public via through social media.