The generals of hindsight

Robert Maginnis:

Recently, a number of retired general officers have called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. Basically, they claim the Pentagon's political class is incompetent. So why didn't these decorated heroes speak out in 2003, before the Iraq war?
It's simple: Washington makes generals into cowards and this must be fixed.
There must be something in the Pentagon water that turns star-studded generals into weak-kneed cowards. These generals fight wars, but they can't find their voices when they think politicians are taking the military and the nation in the wrong direction. This is a sad commentary on our military's culture and Washington's political climate.
Years ago, I was the chief of leadership and ethics at the Army's Infantry Center. We taught warriors that they have a moral obligation to confront seniors with bad news and to challenge morally wrong decisions. We used historical illustrations about men of character falling on their swords over principles. Apparently, the likes of the newly retired generals -- who, just now, with their pensions secured, are publicly voicing their criticisms of our president and his Pentagon appointees -- didn't listen in class.
Since 2002, I've been privileged to attend meetings with Mr. Rumsfeld and his staff. As part of a group of retired officers who now work as media consultants, we have free rein to ask tough questions. Mr. Rumsfeld is always frank, tough and receptive. You have to stand your ground, but Mr. Rumsfeld listens and reasons.
Typically at these meetings, I was the lowest-ranking retired officer. It was amazing how hypocritical some now-retired generals were. They had plenty of opportunity and encouragement to ask tough questions of Pentagon staff, Mr. Rumsfeld included. Behind the scenes some were critical, but at our meetings, only a few shot back.
Three years after the war commenced, hindsight is easy. However, in the actual lead-up to the war, or during initial operations, I seldom heard tough, confrontational questions from the retired group, much less from the more responsible active duty generals. True, I learned politicians can be very defensive. That's to be expected. But that's no excuse for refusing to tangle with them until safely on the retired list.
Our active duty generals tend to be accustomed to getting their way because the military is about giving and taking orders. They become unused to getting much push-back when they voice an opinion. So they feel shocked, slighted and silenced when someone such as Mr. Rumsfeld requires them to justify their views.
As uncomfortable as it may be to those accustomed to great deference, Mr. Rumsfeld's approach actually helps to ensure that robust debate occurs. If, that is, the secretary's "debate partners" do their part.

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There is more. This seems consistent with the points I argue below.