They have to be loyal to the commander in chief. We can't have generals and admirals running around questioning their commander in chief. At the same time, when a member of Congress asks a question, they have to provide the best professional advice they can provide. I don't know a single person who thought we could get in and out of the Balkans in a year. Korb makes a distinction between the military's appointed civilian officials and its uniformed leaders.
Civilian leaders are there to implement the administration's policies.
If they can't support those policies, then they should resign, he says. A military officer, on the other hand, works for the country. It's very difficult for them to then stand up and say they need more money. They feel they have to salute and move forward with what they get. Days before the service chiefs testified before the Senate, they met privately with President Clinton at Fort McNair in Washington.