Subject: Re: Buffett from Barron’s,
Officers serve at the pleasure of the President. They always have the option of resigning - but not the option of picking and choosing what orders to follow.

I believe the above is not a correct statement.


It's generally called a "duty to disobey," and is empowered by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The UCMJ is more concerned about the need to obey orders, but specifies the conditions when military personnel may feel justified in not following them:

If the order is "contrary to the constitution" or "the laws of the United States."
If the order is "patently illegal, ... such as one that directs the commission of a crime."

I am not commenting on the particular item in question, just the broad statement that officers have to obey.

Aussi