Question C

[Jonetta]

Tom’s brought in to the base under guard for “questioning” related to the terrorist attack. We also learn he’d been temporarily relieved of command because he gave the order to fire on the terrorists during the attack. Even though he saved the President’s life, it was a breach of orders since only the Secret Service could give that order. Your thoughts about the whole situation? Fair, unfair or thems the rules?

[Sharon]

Unfair. Everyone knew that Tom was a loyal SEAL. I don't see how it would be better to have the President shot than to protect him. I understand the need to question Tom, but to keep him in jail during the process was wrong, and I was pissed at his superior for allowing and instigating the whole thing.

[Jonetta]

I’m a military brat so I know what a big deal it is to follow command and protocol. It’s drilled into families, too, because my father paid the price for any of our transgressions on base. But, there’s also a process where he could be pardoned or granted exception and for the life of me, why wasn’t anyone in the Navy standing up for him? Why was a slimeball like Tucker given so much power?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of Tuckers within the military ranks and it takes time to get rid of them. The Navy has been plagued for years with awful leaders (anybody recall Tailhook?) because respect for command just runs deeper than anything else. I’ve seen recent changes that are truly encouraging but it’s taken decades.

Kudos to Kelly for making up an option and using the team to protect him. This was a tragedy.

[Robin]

It's crazy to punish Tom because he gave the order to fire on the terrorists. Yes, they should question him and find out the circumstances, but this was ridiculous.

[Lauren]

This was all kind of shocking to me.

Tom saved the president's life. Yes, he needed to be reprimanded but removing him from his role as commander of SEAL Team 16, a very successful team, seemed excessive.

I guess the military is like any other organization and people like Tucker thrive on using their position against those they perceive as better than them.

Tucker took advantage of the Admiral and the team being gone. I doubt this would have happened if the Admiral had been there.

[Anita]

I'm going with "thems the rules" but the whole situation was handled in the worst possible way by A--hole Tucker. Tom knew when he gave the order to open fire that there was going to be hell to pay, but I think he didn't foresee how this all came down.

[Jonetta]

Exactly!