Military Warns Soldiers Against Public Criticism

* Military Warns Soldiers Against Public Criticism

By Bradley Graham Washington Post Staff Writer

Friday, August 8, 2003; Page A10

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31317-2003Aug7.html
Several U.S. Army soldiers in Iraq who expressed anger last month
toward Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld after their tours of
duty were extended have not been punished but have received
warnings about respecting the chain of command, according to a
senior Army officer.

In a July 16 appearance on ABC’s "Good Morning America," the
unnamed soldiers, all members of the 3rd Infantry Division, echoed
frustration widely felt at delays in plans to bring them home. "If
Donald Rumsfeld was here, I’d ask him for his resignation," one
said.

The remarks drew a rebuke from Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, the top
U.S. commander in the region. He warned that troops were not "free
to say anything disparaging about" the defense secretary or the
president, and said disciplinary action would be up to "the
commanders on the scene."

"Those soldiers were not formally disciplined per se," said a
senior Army officer in Washington who declined to be named.
Instead, the soldiers received "a good talk" from senior
noncommissioned officers who "reinforced their obligations as
soldiers to respect their military and civilian chain of command,"
the officer added.

Top defense officials showed little sign this week of having
pursued the case. "I haven’t even asked," Gen. John Keane, the
Army’s vice chief of staff, told reporters who questioned him
Tuesday. But Keane also reiterated the warning to troops to watch
what they say about leaders.

"I don’t believe that anyone who’s wearing a uniform in this
country in a public forum should be critical of the chain of
command. Period," the general said. "The chain of command is
fundamental to the operating of our military organizations. There
are places to disagree with the chain of command, and it’s
appropriate for military leaders to do so. And that should be done
in a private fashion, not in a public fashion."

© 2003 The Washington Post Company