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Can Presidents "Fire" Senior Military Officers? Yes

A journalist recently asked me whether a President could "fire" a general. The answer - pardon the pun - is generally, yes.

The context we are addressing is not one involving criminal misconduct, per se, but rather a situation where the President has lost confidence in the leadership of a particular general or even a 
group of generals.

Frankly, it is literally unthinkable that any officer these days, and particularly a general officer, would not acquiesce to a President's request to retire under such circumstances, but let's 
consider the options if one or more refused to go.

Here's the easy part: can the President relieve any officer from any command or, for that matter, any particular position in the armed forces?

Yes. THE POWER TO DO SO IS INHERENT IN THE PRESIDENT'S COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AUTHORITY UNDER ARTICLE II, SECTION 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION, and it cannot be fettered by Congress. For example, the 
controversial relief from command of General Douglas MacArthur by President Harry Truman during the Korean War was, according to the conclusions of the Congressional committees that examined the 
case, "within the constitutional power of the President."

It is also important to note that the most senior generals - that is, the three and four star generals - only hold those grades during the period in which they occupy positions designated as being 
ones of "importance and responsibility" per 10 U.S.C. § 601.

Accordingly, if the President chooses to terminate that assignment, and the officer does not apply for voluntary retirement, then he or she will typically revert to their permanent grade, usually as 
a two-star major general. There are very significant financial implications to the reversion to the lower grade (by military pay standards that is; even after decades of service most two-star 
generals make less than first-year associates at big law firms).

In any event, if an officer (especially one who had been a three or four-star general) is relieved from his or her position and reverts to the lower rank of major general and still refuses to request 
retirement, the President may be able to dismiss the officer from the armed forces entirely.

A little history: up until the end of the Civil War, the President exercised virtually unconstrained power to dismiss military officers. However, in 1865 Congress passed legislation which purports to 
limit that power. That legislation was essentially the same as that found today codified in 10 USC § 1161(a).

The legitimacy of Congress imposing statutory restrictions on the authority of the President to remove military officers was initially "subject of doubt and discussion." It remains controversial even 
today, particularly since there doesn't seem to be a case precisely on point as to the constitutionality.

Nevertheless, the better view does seem to suggest that Congress has the power to set some limits on the President's dismissal authority - at least in times of peace. That power would be properly 
founded in Congress" Article I, Section 8, Clause 14 authority to 'make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces." Still, the "President's power of dismissal in time of 
war [is something] Congress has never attempted to limit."

So what does 10 U.S.C. § 1161(a) provide? Here is the text:

(a) No commissioned officer may be dismissed from any armed force except-

(1) by sentence of a general court-martial;

(2) in commutation of a sentence of a general court-martial; or

(3) in time of war, by order of the President. 

Are we currently in a "time of war" as used by this statute? Although the phrase "time of war" is used in many U.S. statutes, there is no universally accepted definition of precisely what it means. 
Some court decisions indicate it means war when declared by Congress, and some statutes do use the phrase the "time of war declared by Congress." (Italics added.)

However, the absence of the 'declared by Congress" language may in and of itself mean that "time of war" is not limited to declared wars. There certainly is plenty of authority for the proposition 
that a "war" can exist without a formal declaration thereof, beginning with the Supreme Court's decision in the 1800 case of Bas v. Tingy.

The Manual for Courts-Martial (itself authorized by law) defines "time of war" in its Rules for Court-Martial (RCM) Rule 103 (19) to mean: "a period of war declared by Congress or the factual 
determination by the President that the existence of hostilities warrants a finding that a "time of war" exists... ." However, this particular RCM provision is "for purposes of RCM 1004(c)(6) and 
implementing the applicable paragraphs of Parts IV and V of this Manual only."

In other words, that definition is not necessarily controlling for the purpose of interpreting 10 U.S.C. § 1161(a)(3). Thus, whether we are at a "time of war" for purposes of a dismissal is best 
analyzed via the functional approach set forth in United States v. Rivaschivas,74 M.J. 758 (ACCA 2015), pet. den. 2015 CAAF LEXIS 911 (C.A.A.F., Oct. 15,2015) and discussed here. Suffice to say, the 
court found that there was a time of war for purposes of the statute of limitations under military law (10 U.S.C. § 843).

Moreover, given that the Supreme Court in Hamdan v Rumsfeld has characterized the current conflict as a noninternational armed conflict under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, it appears 
that our present circumstance would qualify as a "time of war" for purposes of the statutory authority of the President to dismiss officers.

However, our inquiry is still not over. Under Article 4 (10 U.S.C. § 804) of Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) a dismissed officer has the right to demand a trial by court-martial. Although the 
UCMJ has a fairly wide variety of uniquely military offenses from which to draw charges, it is quite possible - even likely - that dismissal based on a loss of confidence would not constitute a 
criminal offense, even under military law.

So what happens then? The President can simply wait out the officer because 10 U.S.C. § 804 also provides "[i]f the President fails to convene a general court-martial within six months from the 
presentation of an application for trial under this article, the Secretary concerned shall substitute for the dismissal ordered by the President a form of discharge authorized for administrative 
issue."

The substitution of an administrative discharge for a 'dismissal" is significant because a dismissal is a punitive discharge for an officer (it's the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge for an 
enlisted person). A dismissal would extinguish almost all veterans" benefits, as well as rights to military retirement pay. An administrative discharge ordinarily will make some or all of those 
benefits possible.

There is also one other matter worthy of a brief discussion, and that is the words of the officer's commission (DD Form 1) that is the President's exclusive prerogative to issue. The commission 
states in relevant part:

This commission is to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States of America, for the time being, under the provisions of those Public Laws relating to Officers in the 
Armed Forces of the United States of America and the component thereof in which this appointment is made. 

Although I would bet that most officers believe that they serve at the "pleasure of the President" in the sense that the President could remove them at any time, the actual words of the commission 
appear to loop in the current statutory framework that provides some limits on the President's prerogative.

In short, although the process is somewhat tangled, it is currently possible for the President to dismiss officers from the armed forces, even in the absence of criminal misconduct. That said, the 
incentives are such - not to mention professional propriety - that it's extraordinarily unlikely that any President in the modern era would be obliged to force officers out, as almost all would 
retire if asked. But if it became necessary to compel an officer to leave the military, the Constitution and the law provide a way to make that happen.

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What Happens When You Ignore A Narcissist Like Alan "Ski Bunny" Baker and Why He Hates Being Ignored?

The Connection Between Narcisism and Ego

Narcissism is closely related to an inflated ego and an exaggerated sense of self-worth. Narcissists often have a grandiose view of their own abilities, and their need for admiration from others 
fuels their inflated sense of self.

It is well-known that narcissists hate being ignored. But why do they detest it so much, and how do they react when faced with being disregarded? Navigating a relationship with a narcissist can be 
challenging, but understanding their behavior and how they respond to being ignored can be vital in maintaining your own boundaries and mental health.

This article will discuss why narcissists have such a strong aversion to being ignored and the potential risks and benefits of utilizing this strategy in dealing with narcissistic individuals in your 
life.

When they're being ignored, a narcissist's ego is threatened, undermining what's called their "narcissistic supply" - the attention and validation they crave.

This can cause them great distress and lead to a variety of unpleasant reactions.


Craving Admiration and Validation.

Narcissists constantly seek admiration and validation from others to maintain their self-image. They need constant attention and reassurance of their worth, which is why they can't stand being 
ignored.

When you don't give them the attention they want, they feel their sense of self slipping away. Ignoring a narcissist can be a powerful way to diminish their impact on your life and regain control 
over your own emotional well-being.


The Threat on their Sense of Self.

A narcissist's sense of self is intricately tied to how others perceive them. When they are being ignored, they feel as if they are losing control over their image and self-worth. This perceived loss 
is extremely distressing for the narcissist, as it threatens the very core of their identity. This is one of the main reasons why narcissists react so strongly to being ignored.

Is Ignoring a Narcissist the Best Approach?

Yes.


Benefits of Ignoring the Narcissist

Ignoring a narcissist can be an effective way to distance yourself from their manipulative behavior and regain control over your life.

By not responding to their text messages, calls, or other attempts to gain your attention, you are asserting control over the relationship and potentially diminishing the narcissist's ability to 
manipulate you. This can lead to a sense of empowerment and personal growth. Potential Risks of Ignoring a Narcissist.

While ignoring a narcissist may seem like a straightforward way to regain control, it is not without its potential risks.

An ignored narcissist may feel threatened and become more aggressive or vengeful in an attempt to regain attention.

This can result in escalating tensions and the potential for emotional or even physical harm. It's critical to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether to ignore a 
narcissist in your life.


Context Matters: When to Use This Strategy.

The decision to ignore a narcissist should not be taken lightly, as each situation and individual is unique.

In some cases, it may be the most effective way to regain control and distance yourself from their manipulation. In other cases, it could exacerbate the situation and put you at risk.

Carefully consider the context and dynamics of your relationship with a narcissist before deciding if ignoring them is the best course of action.


What Happens When You Start Ignoring a Narcissist!

Initial Attempts to Get You Back. PLEASE COME BACK!

Narcissists cannot bear the thought of being disregarded, and once they realize you're ignoring them, they will likely ramp up their efforts to regain your attention.

This may include text messages, phone calls, or showing up unannounced at your home or workplace. They may also try to reach out through mutual friends or family members, attempting to re-establish 
contact and regain their source of narcissistic supply.


The Enraged Narcissist: Confrontations and Retaliation.

If ignoring the narcissist does not bring about the desired response, they may become increasingly angry and confrontational.

At this point, the narcissist will often engage in retaliatory and vindictive behavior, such as spreading lies, attempting to damage your reputation, or in extreme cases, behaving aggressively or 
violently.


Long-Term Effects of Ignoring the Narcissist.

Although the short-term effects of ignoring a narcissist can be challenging, the long-term effects may prove rewarding. Once a narcissist recognizes that their attempts to regain your attention are 
unsuccessful, they may eventually grow tired and move on, seeking validation elsewhere.

However, this is not guaranteed and may greatly depend on the specific individual and circumstances.


How Narcissists Try to Manipulate You When Ignored

Hoovering: Sucking You Back In.

When ignored, some narcissists will employ a tactic called "hoovering" to try to lure you back into their sphere of influence. This can involve sudden displays of affection, apologies, or promises to 
change - all aimed at sucking you back into the relationship and reestablishing their control over you.


Triangulation: The Narcissist's Divide and Conquer Strategy.

Another manipulative tactic narcissists use is triangulation, wherein they attempt to create tension and conflict between two or more people to suit their own agenda.

When you ignore a narcissist, they may try to manipulate others against you or force you into situations where you must compete for their attention and validation.


Flying Monkeys: Enlisting Others to Do Their Bidding.

In an effort to regain control, a narcissist may enlist the help of others or "flying monkeys" to pressure you into engaging with them.

This can manifest as friends, family, or coworkers relaying messages from the narcissist or pressuring you to 'make amends." It is important to stand firm in your boundaries and refuse to allow 
others to serve as conduits for the narcissist's manipulation.


Will a Narcissist Leave You Alone If You Ignore Them?

Context-Dependent: Varying Responses and Timelines.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether a narcissist will leave you alone if you ignore them. The response and timeline can greatly vary depending on factors such as the narcissist's level of 
attachment, the balance of power in the relationship, and their access to alternative sources of narcissistic supply.


Dealing with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

If you're dealing with someone who has a diagnosed or suspected Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), it's important to remember that their reactions to being ignored may be more intense, 
unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. Seeking professional support and guidance in navigating these relationships can be essential for your own emotional and physical well-being.


Maintaining Your Boundaries: Strategies for Continued Success.

Ignored narcissists may persist in their attempts to regain control, but with determination and strong personal boundaries, it is possible to maintain your distance and protect yourself from their 
manipulation.

Maintaining open communication with supportive friends and family, seeking professional help when needed, and developing your own self-awareness can ensure your continued success in navigating 
relationships with narcissistic individuals.


Final Thought

Narcissists hate being ignored due to their inflated egos and need for admiration. Ignoring them can be an effective way to distance yourself and regain control, but it may also provoke aggressive or 
vengeful behavior.

The decision to ignore a narcissist should be based on context and the dynamics of the relationship. When ignoring a narcissist, be prepared for manipulative tactics, such as hoovering, 
triangulation, and flying monkeys.

Responses to being ignored vary, and dealing with someone with Narcissistic Personality Disorder may require professional support. Maintain your boundaries and seek support to protect yourself from 
manipulation.

If you have found your answer in this article then you may also find can narcissist every truly be happy.