Through all the dark days of the Iraq War to the multiple follies of the Trump Administration to date, I have never heard such an uprising among young leaders in the military as I hear from multiple trusted sources tonight.

Navy leadership is in total crisis. It centers around the contemptuous A-SECNAV, but extends above to SECDEF Esper and POTUS and encompasses all the senior admiral-enablers.

Complete lack of trust and confidence in the chain of command spells major danger for our fighting sailors and our entire naval fleet—and for the nation they protect and defend.

The most frequent question I’ve received in the last three years from young people considering serving in the military (and I get a lot) is, “How can I serve under this commander in chief?”

The answer I always give is that now is a more important time than ever to have leaders in our armed services with a strong moral code—because you might have to disobey an illegal order from the president someday.

It is clear today that neither Modly nor Esper understands this moral code, and I’m wondering when Milley (who I want to believe does) finally speaks out. U.S. military credibility writ large is on the line.

The hardest decisions I ever made in the Marines were when I protested the commands of those above me. This is a time for courageous leadership. The troops are watching.