Mullen to grads: Question leadership

Mullen to grads: Question leadership
By Chris Amos - Staff writer
Posted : Friday May 23, 2008 19:36:44 EDT

Annapolis, Md. — The military’s top officer told members of the Naval Academy’s Class of 2008 that they should not be afraid to question authority and that they should be prepared to leave the service if they feel they cannot carry out orders.

“Few things are more vital to an organization than someone who has the moral courage to question the direction in which the organization is headed and then the strength of character to support whatever decision is made,” Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told 1,037 graduates Friday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. “That is real loyalty.

Mullen said officers — even ensigns and second lieutenants — have an obligation to speak up when they think things aren’t going well and to ask tough questions of their superiors when those questions are required. Officers then must support whatever decision superiors make — or resign their commissions if they feel they cannot, he said. Officers must “obey the orders we have been given, carrying them out with the professionalism and loyalty they deserve, or vote with our feet.”

He said military officers are also obligated to tell the American people, both directly and through their civilian leadership, what kind of military the nation needs, pointing out that military and civilian leaders are currently debating how the military should prepare itself for current wars and for future ones.

“To me it isn’t a question of either or, it is about balance and depth,” he said. “I believe we need to be able to fight and win the small and big wars both today and tomorrow.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/05/navy_graduation_052308p/

along with all the other generals and admirals who refused to take loyalty oaths to "Der Bushler"?