Tribal identity is a valuable military quality but we should be careful not to label as disloyalty any peep of dissent.
The armed forces of the crown rightly attach great importance to the moral legitimacy of their actions. So when those who represent that legitimacy fall short of the ideal (for example, by committing adultery over a prolonged period with the wife of a brother officer) then it’s not treachery to raise an eyebrow.
Mentioning such matters - this is not an isolated example - is not to spoil the birthday fun – just gently to remind us that while loyalty is commendable, blind loyalty does no credit to British or any other armed service.
2i/cs who earn promotion usually do so on the grounds of clearly-recognised professional ability, personal qualities and judgement. Others – we’ve all met them - get there by a combination of spin and patronage.
The next head of the armed forces won’t be selected at all so it’s even more important that he’s respected for the virtues he does possess rather than those he doesn’t. Soft-headed sentiment is for adoring crowds and partying luvvies full of Highgrove label champagne. Steely-eyed, square-jawed, cucumber-cool military folk deserve something better.
Last edited by goofer; 16th Nov 2008 at 18:09.