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First SEAL four star admiral announced

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I was commenting on the policy of giving flag officers the choice of having their bio posted. .

Uhh, I think that's the whole point. The public isn't necessarily entitled to that information.

Brett
 

snizo

Supply Officer
No ;) just a little left of most people in the military. (Don't worry, though - there is still an "R" on my voter's registration card).
 

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
How can someone hold a position of public trust .... when the public doesn't know who he is?

The military has already made a press release about this promotion ... so his current position and name are clearly not classified. What does it hurt putting his name on navy.mil?

Not asking for a full bio including previous commands and missions...

Military members are ultimately accountable to the civilian political leadership and the president, not the public. How is the public served by knowing his bio? Is the public entitled to see my bio? How about a squadron CO? I just can't buy the "transparency for transparency's sake" argument without some compelling way in which the public is served or harmed.

Brett
 

LT Willie Keith

New Member
Here's Admiral Olson's bio. Source: Google
--------------

Vice Admiral Eric Thor Olson is the deputy commander, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL.

A native of Tacoma, WA, Olson graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1973. During his career as a Naval Special Warfare officer, he has served operationally in an Underwater Demolition Team, SEAL Team, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team, Special Boat Squadron and at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. He has also served as a SEAL instructor, strategy and tactics development officer, and joint special operations staff officer. His overseas assignments include duty as a United Nations Military Observer in Israel and Egypt and as the Navy Programs Officer in Tunisia.

Olson has participated in several conflicts and contingency operations, and has commanded at every level from SEAL platoon officer-in-charge to Naval Special Warfare force commander. His primary staff duty was as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy and Operations).

Olson earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a joint specialty officer and political-military affairs subspecialist. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star. Olson is married with two children.
 

raptor10

Philosoraptor
Contributor
The flip side of that being - why would you think that the government is entitled to hide things from the public when doing so isn't necessary for national security? (or public health, welfare, etc etc etc)

He is a seal... There are a lot of "bad guys" that would like to know more about him...
 

Pcola04/30

Professional Michigan Hater
pilot
After SERE school I think all work related releases should have to be OK'd by the service member. Not that this is especially particular to the Admmiral, but the bad guys can use google just like us.
 

HeyJoe

Fly Navy! ...or USMC
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
Navy is head 4 Combatant Commands

Confirmation of Vice Admiral Olson as SOCOM will put Navy admirals into leadership of 4 of the Combatant Commands, three of which have traditionally gone to other services (SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM and SOCOM). For more on Olson's nomination and Combatant Commands see the latest reporting on Military.com.
 
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