The same sorts of discussions took place during Korea and Viet Nam -- as well as afterward. At all ranks. Not new with the Brits either -- or with Canadians. During Korea, we had 42 RM Cdo attached for a while and were adjacent to the Black Watch and visited 2 RCR. Soldiers gripe. Even about their own Army to others, given a little alcoholic easing of natural tension and reticence.

Amazing number of senior folks were unhappy about the firing of MacArthur (though not all of 'em ). Many were unhappy that Eisenhower ran on the end the war ticket. Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon -- as well as the senior leadership -- were all routinely denigrated during Viet Nam. There were those who complained about the cessation of Desert Strom in 1991 and you wouldn't believe some of the things said about the senior leadership and the Prez in the 1990s.

Foolishness and incompetence in high places has always been a favorite topic. Regrettably, too often deservedly so.

Nor have I ever heard any serious discussion about coups and refusal of orders. Civilian control is hard wired. So, in the US, is not resigning -- that's as much due to the depth of the bench as anything. If one resigns in protest, one knows the system will simply keep appointing replacements until it finds someone to do whats wanted. Plus, there's the ego trip of getting the job, no matter how unappealing, finished and the belief that one can do it better than some second or third choice -- and with less damage to the institution than said incompetent might inflict...

The departure by resignation of massive numbers of Officers at the earliest possible date during a war is also not new. Wives get upset, Captains and some Majors leave -- also happened during Korea and Viet Nam.

There's no news -- or anything to be concerned about there...