The cover up of mistakes and responsibility by lying or obfuscation cannot be tolerated. The leadership of our Armed Forces must be based on principle not litigious double talk. Thus the leadership traits of our military as well the civilian leadership of the military must demonstrate above all else, a commitment to integrity and ethics on a daily basis. We have a cadre of young leadership in our armed services that makes me confident for the future. It is important for those you lead to know what you stand for and equally important what you won't stand for.
Loyalty down is just as important as loyalty up.
Regardless of what the exit polls imply, the character of a nation and its leaders does matter and it matters most to those who are prepared to lay down their lives for that nation. Those entrusted with the Defense of our Nation are in a risk taking business. If we ever become risk adverse because the integrity of our leadership is in question or even perceived to be in question, we all lose. Our national leaders must talk straight and with integrity on every issue. If we lie to ourselves as an institution or as individuals within that institution, we are laying the seeds of our own individual and national destruction.