Let your views be known
Stars and Stripes
Letters to the Editor, Monday, March 8, 2010
The recent commentaries on the adverse effects of repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy were insightful.
It is often stated that most service members are in favor of repealing the policy. I do not believe that is accurate. I suspect many service members, their families, veterans and citizens are wondering what to do to stop this ill-advised repeal of a policy that has achieved a balance between a citizen's desire to serve and acceptable conduct.
Now is the time to write your elected officials and chain of command and express your views. If those of us who are in favor of retaining the current policy do not speak up, there is no chance to retain the current policy.
Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon
Fort Shafter, Hawaii
Is this enough to take down a highly decorated general officer currently commanding U.S. Army Pacific? Should it be? Does disagreement equal disloyalty? Does Lt. Gen. Mixon actually endorse a specific point of view? At what point should a commander not allow his personal beliefs known? These are just some the questions that this situation beings to the surface.
The review of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been one of the most polarizing policy reviews in recent Army history. The Chief of Staff of the Army has initiated a service wide survey to determine what impact a change in the policy will have on the force and is openly asking for service members to let their opinions be known. Does the General not fall into that group? Should his opinion not be counted because he is a commander? Recent comments by Secretary Gates seem to indicate that. He and some of the other service chiefs testified their opinions to Congress during recent hearings. It seems that sharing your opinion is OK as long as that opinion is in full support of the chain of the command, up to the Commander and Chief.
I would contend that Lt. Gen. Mixon’s letter doesn’t endorse a specific opinion, but rather encourages those with opinions different from those testified before Congress to not be afraid to speak out. Although one can assume the General’s opinion, I think it would be improper to do so, as some of those in the media and the chain of command have. And if it is his actual opinion, then how fair is it to criticize him for stating it, if there is a service wide survey being conducted that is asking for opinions? It think this is definitely a double standard.
Does disagreement mean disloyalty and should a general be fired for possibly endorsing a policy different from that of the Commander in Chief? I think the answer to this is “Maybe”. There is no doubt that senior leaders’ comments have an informational impact on issues within the force. Gen McChrystal’s speech in European stating that more troops are a necessity in Afghanistan, definitely forced the administration to look at some sort of troop increase; but not the 65,000 Gen. McChrystal was looking for. But should comments like these be grounds for dismissal? I think it just depends on the size and scope of the disagreement. In Lt. Gen. Mixon’s case, the future of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been predetermined, and therefore he will likely face some sort of consequences for his actions, whereas Gen McChrystal has not. Let this situation serve as a warning to other senior leaders who might want to put themselves on the wrong side of this issue.
