Greetings GatewayPundit and PoliPundit readers! Make sure to read the comments as there is some solid give and take about the good the bad and the lame excuse his campaign is using to avoid the fact he is wrong here. Too much pride is a bad thing. When you are done, click "cdr salamander" above and catch up on some more goodies. Cheers, Phibian
Look at the picture to the right? There are three HUGE problems, hence the title of the post. From review, Rear Admiral Sestak, (USN Ret.) is running against Representative Weldon from Pennsylvania. If you don't know the man, who he hangs around with, and his background, two of my posts are here and here, also check out Chap, LargeBill, and William M. Arkin. Here are the three, and why. 1. Out of Uniform: In an article quoted on his own webpage, he retired as a Rear Admiral (2-stars), though he was a Vice Admiral (3-stars) until he was fired by the Chief of Naval Operations (See Skippy's comment here). He was not a VADM long enough to retire as one. Look on his shoulders, he is wearing 3-stars. I'm calling on my JAG over at MilBlogs - but I don't think that is Kosher, Halal, or honest. Heck, I will save him the trouble. Let us quote TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART II > CHAPTER 45 § 772(c).
(c) A retired officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade.Now, is he trying to Sea-Lawyer himself into 772(d)?
A person not on active duty who served honorably in time of war in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps may bear the title, and, when authorized by regulations prescribed by the President, wear the uniform, of the highest grade held by him during that war.I don't think that flushes. I think he has run aground.
2. Our of Order: He is retired and running for office - and he is campaigning in uniform, at an unauthorized rank. This is not mid-70's Paraguay where we have people wearing military uniforms directly involved in politics. Especially a Flag Officer. That is something that a professional-minded American leader just does not do. Yes, I said that. Want to March in a parade, sure. In uniform, sure. While you are actively running for office - that is just tacky and not in line with the American Tradition. He would have showed some class if he would have changed into civies before getting in front of the microphone. In line with #1, I'm going to check with my JAG at MilBlogs, but that can't be kosher, halal, or approved for shipboard use.
3. Out of his mind: When he put that on, he had to know that someone would call him on it. He knew it was wrong. Someone in his campaign for the House should have told him. Does his campaign have a "Command Climate" such that his staff is afraid to say, "Boss, that isn't a good idea.."? Could it be that he is blinded by an ego that has never recovered from the shame of being fired by the CNO? Blinded by the insult he feels on not getting a 4th star in a constellation of what he perceives to be lesser men - and being forced to retire with 2? To put on 2 stars is to admit that he was found lacking. Right or wrong - that is the truth.
RADM Sestak is a very smart man, one who worked countless hours in service to his nation. A strong professional who, regardless of what you think of his personality, should be given the respect due to his Flag Rank and honorable service. Should. He leaves himself open when stunts like this are done. Bad move, and I'm calling him on it. Perhaps somewhere he has found a way to Sealawyer his way to wearing 3 stars, but I don't think so. Even if he does - from the cheap seat it reeks of poseurism, and does a disservice to those still on active duty.
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