Promotions must be about (a) character, and (b) performance.

Nothing else.

Not “cultural fit” or personality.

Not whether someone plays golf or doesn’t. Drinks bourbon or doesn’t.

Not someone’s private sexual behavior.

Not whether they are handsome, gorgeous, nondescript, or a gargoyle.

Not because they might leave or complain if passed over.

Not because of demography, or to assure representation of particular groups.

Not because certain among us need our heroes too.

Not because they are “a good guy” or the favorite of someone powerful.

Not because they have had the right jobs or went to Harvard, or didn’t.

Not because they have the right surname.

Not because they “played the game” better than others.

Definitely not because they are someone’s favorite, or because they have the immutable characteristics someone prefers or doesn’t, or they are suspected of having the right or wrong political or religious views, or any other arbitrary harebrain cockamamie reason dreamed up by some over-empowered temporary bureaucrat whose fingers lack the requisite authority or wisdom to edit sacred matters.

We’re now in a world where one man, the Secretary of Defense, has given himself the power to edit flag officer promotion lists that were certified by the military services after a process to determine who was best qualified.

A world where Chappie James would almost certainly be struck from a flag officer promotion list without cause, explanation, or anyone owning it.

Think about that. Think about what we lose so selfish assholes can have things their way, for no better reason than to validate themselves while dividing us. Think about how reckless it is to play games with our defense.

And if you’re currently exercising administrative authority anywhere within such a defunct and corrupt process and haven’t handed in your resignation or been fired for insubordination, I hope Chappie’s ghost stalks your dreams until anxiety combines with your recurrent shame to engender the unshakeable self-disgust you have richly earned.

Meritocracy will happen when we want more Chappies enough to make it happen. When we let character and performance block anything else from mattering.

We’re a long way from that, and becoming more distant.

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