According to the Air Force Times, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told the graduating cadets at the US Air Force Academy they need to “support a changing military.”  The article notes Mullen did not directly address any particular issue, but his statement occurred “as Congress nears a vote on repealing [DADT].”

The quote by Mullen could make for a fascinating discussion on morality, ethics, leadership, and military service: 

Few things are more important to an organization than people who have the moral courage to question the direction in which the organization is headed, and then the strength of character to support whatever final decisions are made.

Mullen’s comment echoes a common leadership theme:  Subordinates are free — and encouraged — to disagree during a decision-making process; such discussion ensures leaders get information from all sides, and are not simply surrounded by “yes men.”  However, once the leader makes a decision, even those who disagreed are now obligated to support his decision.

The interesting twist in Mullen’s statement is his reference to “moral courage,” and the implication that “moral courage” is virtuous only until a “final decision” is made.