McCain commanded troops? Really?

[Neecy]

Senator Kyl on MSNBC was just mouthing off about how McCain has "commanded troops" and is thereby qualified to be Commander in Chief.

Wasn't McCain in the Navy? I didn't realize the Navy has "troops". This man has never "commanded troops" in his lifetime.

And David Gregory just let the lie pass right on by....

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. He was a pilot, wasn't he?

Just a captain?

I mean those ranks aren't quite the same as they are in the infantry.

Jimmy Stewart was a general, for fuck's sake.

[Neecy]

3. that's right....

I think he left the Navy with the rank of Captain.

My dad was a Captain in the Air Force and he'd laugh out loud at the thought of Naval Captain McCain "commanding troops". I mean, apples and oranges and all that...

[trof]

8. 'Captain' in Navy = Full ('Bird') Colonel in Army, Air Force, Marines.

Next step up in rank in the Navy would be equal to general.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. In theory.

But did it really mean anything? I doubt it.

[trof]

14. My last rank in ANG* was Captain.

*Air National Guard.
If you put your time in and kept your nose clean advancement to Captain was automatic.

Promotion to what is called 'field grade' (major and above) took a little talent. Or politics. The air guard COULD be pretty political.
Not in political party so much, but as to who was your buddy or 'rabbi' in the upper ranks.

What his achievement of Captain 'meant'?
IMHO it meant that
1. He was an Annapolis grad.
2. He came from a line of navy admirals (father and grandfather)
3. Guys who were POWs got 'extra points' for what they'd been through.
4. Maybe he was a good officer.
Maybe.
I didn't serve under him, so I don't know.

[polichick]

2. But, but, but - he was a WAR HERO!!!

[snowbear]

4. I think Kyl meant to say McLame "slammed troops". ...THIS MAN COMMANDED TROOPS --->>

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------> ~~~

~ ~ ~ ~ :patriot:

[Lost-in-FL]

5. He commanded a crew...

as part of being a pilot if I'm not mistaken. That "crew" is probably less than a handful of soldiers (or airmans, etc.) which cares for his fighter plane (maintenance crew, mechanics, etc.).

[Neecy]

9. I don't think so

The crew on an aircraft carrier would still be referred to as 'sailors', wouldn't they? Certainly not soldiers/troops.

[Lost-in-FL]

12. I don't know the term for Marines/Navy...

I think you are right, it might be sailors or maybe "Flight crew". I have not a clue for NAVY.

But MCLames never commanded an aircraft carrier I don't think so. My point is that when this person said he "commanded troops" he was making MCCain's service much more important than what really was since his "crew" was probably less than a handful of servicemembers.

[Disturbed]

11. McLame's Naval Career was mediocre, at best.

He was a pilot that crashed 4 planes. He was never considered for rank above Captain, which is one of the reasons he retired. He got the pilot spot due to his Admiral father, period. He graduated Naval College, fifth from the bottom of his class. No grads are ever chosen from the bottom of the list, except he was. His Navy Career of being a Hero is a lie.

[speedoo]

16. McWhine didn't command anyone. He flew planes badly.

Was Kerry listening when Kyl stated that lie?

[Neecy]

17. I think so

I didn't expect Gregory to call out this lie, but Kerry - who actually did have a meaningful combat command in Vietnam - probably figured he'd be crucified like Clark if he questioned St. McCain's record in the slightest.

[mloutre]

6. Gregory was too busy watching Kerry totally kick Kyl's ass to interrupt.

[polichick]

7. I know, for once he was speechless. Loved Kerry!

[trof]

13. Kinda. He was C.O. of a Navy training squadron.

Cecil Field, FL.
By this account he aquited himself well, but "From military records , it doesn't appear to have translated into more pilots trained, or more hours flown."
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92308526

It's not like commanding troops in combat at all.

[vinylsolution]

15. McLame can't even command....

.... his own bodily functions.

Obama will run with a REAL commander!