Generals serve the country, not political parties: How about proper assessments?

But which person is better qualified? Or are both not qualified? ACM Sukampol says, “General Thanongsak is senior, from Class 11 of the Armed Forces Academy’s Preparatory School and is capable of coordinating defence affairs.” ACM Sukampol, what does seniority have to do with promotion? On the way up, Pol Gen Priewpan jumped over many officers more senior than he – wasn’t the reason given that Priewpan had more achievements? If so, we should forget about seniority, and see how the candidates measure up on key performance indicators (KPIs) that are transparent, measurable, and job-related.

ACM Sukampol, if a main reason given is that Gen Thanongsak’s capable of coordinating defence affairs, is Chatree incapable of doing so? If he’s incapable, why was Chatree promoted to be deputy permanent secretary? Again, let’s go back and look at their KPIs.

Gen Sathien’s wife Natnicha is a major political canvasser for Pheu Thai, casting serious doubt on her husband’s neutrality, for the military must remain politically neutral. As Mike Mullen, former chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, said: “Part of the deal we (soldiers) made when we joined up was to willingly subordinate our individual interests to the greater good of protecting national interests. The military as an institution must remain a neutral instrument of the state, no matter which party holds sway.” Gen Sathien: What assurances do we have that if, say, the Democrats came to power, your candidate would serve the nation as well as Gen Thanongsak?

Adm Mullen also said: “Few things are more damaging to our democracy than a military officer who doesn’t have the moral courage to stand up for what’s right or the moral fibre to step aside when circumstances dictate.” Do we agree that our officers, too, should have such moral courage? If so, which candidate called for thorough, neutral investigations and court-martials of the killers in uniform at Krue Se, Tak Bai, and Nong Chik?

Generals, you serve our country, not a particular political party. Show us who – if any – is most qualified to lead us, including who will be politically neutral and who has demonstrated the moral courage to hold killers accountable.

Burin Kantabutra