A crisis at the top of military leadership in the handling of a high-profile war crimes case has raised questions in the San Diego military community about the military justice system and what good order and discipline looks like. President Donald Trump’s recent interventions in several military justice cases, including that of San Diego-based Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher’s, have military leaders debating whether the moves undermine the authority of military commanders to instill good order and discipline in the ranks. Some Navy leaders in San Diego said they are flummoxed by Trump’s interventions and their recent fallout, including the firing of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer over the weekend. “He’s hammering away at the foundation of the military — good order and discipline,” said a senior San Diego Navy official not authorized to comment. “The president essentially said he doesn’t trust one of his admirals’ judgment. Guys at my level are literally just throwing up their hands.”
A crisis at the top of military leadership in the handling of a high-profile war crimes case has raised questions in the San Diego military community about the military justice system and what good order and discipline looks like.
President Donald Trump’s recent interventions in several military justice cases, including that of San Diego-based Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher’s, have military leaders debating whether the moves undermine the authority of military commanders to instill good order and discipline in the ranks.
Some Navy leaders in San Diego said they are flummoxed by Trump’s interventions and their recent fallout, including the firing of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer over the weekend.
“He’s hammering away at the foundation of the military — good order and discipline,” said a senior San Diego Navy official not authorized to comment. “The president essentially said he doesn’t trust one of his admirals’ judgment. Guys at my level are literally just throwing up their hands.”