Thread by @johnismay

The lack of transparency about officer misconduct is commonplace and intentional, according to @JoePlenzler, who served as a public affairs officer alongside more than a dozen general officers, including three commandants of the Marine Corps. thewarhorse.org/lost-trust-con…

During half those assignments, Marine leaders saw engaging with the media as “all risk and no gain.” And some of them “add an additional dose of hubris in there” by asking “Why should I have to talk to these guys?” thewarhorse.org/lost-trust-con…

Officers are constantly reminded to “protect the institution,” Plenzler said. “When the institution’s wrong, what do you do? Do you continue to protect it? Do you speak out? The general trend I’ve seen is it’s pretty much a go-along-to-get-along club.

… If you want to make your next rank and matriculate up through, you know, from a brigadier to a full general, you’re not going to rock the boat that hard.”