An Officer's Duty

"An officer must not lie, steal, or cheat-- ever. He keeps his word, whatever the cost. He must not shirk his duties no matter how difficult or dangerous they are. His life is ransomed to his duty. An officer must trust his fellow officers, and expect their trust in return. He must not expect others to bear what he will not. An officer accepts the consequences of his actions. He must not hide his mistakes, nor transfer blame to others that is rightfully his. He admits his mistakes openly, and accepts whatever sanction is imposed upon him without complaint." Faith of My Fathers, John McCain (Page 66)


These values, articulated in Sen. McCain's book, were inculcated into the very fiber of McCain's being, His father and his father's father were both career Navy officers reaching the rank of admiral. John's grandfather served in the Pacific during World War II, witnessing the signing of the treaty ending the war with Japan, living a part of our history. Speaking of the responsibilities of an officer, John writes, "He must not shirk his duties no matter how difficult or dangerous they are. His life is ransomed to his duty."


This was true of Vice Adm. "Slew" McCain because soon after the end of the war, he died, having ransomed his life to his duty.

His father was Commander of naval forces in the Pacific during the Vietnam War, John's boss during his captivity. How was Adm. McCain able to continue, knowing his son was severely injured and being tortured?

John McCain answers that question in this excerpt. In his pain and suffering at John's captivity, Adm. McCain did not shirk his duties despite the personal difficulties. "An officer accepts the consequences of his actions. He must not hide his mistakes, nor transfer blame to others that is rightfully his. He admits his mistakes openly, and accepts whatever sanction is imposed upon him without complaint." McCain is writing about his dad here.

His father became CINCPAC while John was in captivity in the Hanoi Hilton. His dad had to face John's mother with the news, had to deal with this for over 6 long years.

Sen. McCain, a career naval officer, carries these attributes in the core of his being. Having been an Army officer and retiring from active duty as a Captain with the Public Health Service, I can relate to this excerpt. Any officer lives and breathes by these words. It is what should be required of anyone aspiring to Commander-in-Chief.

I know one more thing. Having been through hell and back, John McCain, though not one to shirk the duties prescribed in the Presidential oath of office, would be loathe to want war for our country. With his experience and background, Sen. McCain brings the "right stuff" to his candidacy for President.