WASHINGTON — Amid years of political turmoil, pundits and observers from across the spectrum are raising the alarm on a new trend: In retirement, many flag officers are shunning the limelight and shutting the fuck up.
Phil McCracken, a retired Navy rear admiral and president of the “Relevant 4 Life” flag officer employment association, says “everybody knows” that American military tradition expects retired senior officers to become news commentators, political advisers, or signatories to rambling, divisive policy tomes. But McCracken laments how many recent retirees are “totally blowing off” such roles and leading lives of relaxation, hobbies, and “some kind of normal life, whatever that means.”
An extensive Duffel Blog survey seemed to confirm the trend: Out of 50 retirees contacted for this article, most did not respond. Ten said they were focused on submitting articles for AUSA Magazine, while six others said they were writing romance or fantasy novels. One retired admiral used an email associated with a bar in Key West, and said he had no fixed address. A retired Coast Guard admiral could not differentiate retirement from active duty.
During an interview at a local Early Bird dinner special, retired Army Maj. Gen. Francis Dixon said, “I was in uniform for 34 years. On my last tour, a little pisher of Congressman grilled me over a nut case conspiracy theory. What kind of a narcissistic, power hungry asshat would want to stay involved in that kind competition, paranoia and backbiting?”
