The inspector general of the Department of Defense has released a report that finds high ranking Pentagon officers in violation of long standing military regulations for their participation in a recruiting and marketing video by the fundamentalist group Christian Embassy while in uniform and on active duty.

Truthout.org offers thorough coverage of the report and its implications as well as the chance to view the controversial video in which the participants appear. The inspector general’s complete report is available here.

The report is clear – these persons, including four generals, a colonel and a lieutenant colonel, were in direct violation of specific army regulations preventing military officers from participating in the work of a “non-Federal entity” while in uniform and on duty.

So what’s the penalty for this kind of violation?

Depends on who’s doing the violating, apparently:

Over the past few years, the military has set its sights on prosecuting Iraq war veterans (such as Cpl. Adam Kokesh and Sgt. Liam Madden, USMC) who have completed active duty, soured on the war and participated in antiwar protests while wearing their uniforms. – truthout.org

One would expect that no matter what the reason for the violation that the military would prosecute violators of its code equally fairly and vigorously:

However, it appears unlikely the military will apply the same standard to the Air Force and Army officers who the inspector general said violated the same code of conduct Kokesh and Madden were found to have broken, according to the disciplinary recommendations of the report. – truthout.org

The question, of course, is why would there be a difference in the standard applied to prosecution of the violation? Could it be the rank of those charged? That seems unlikely despite the traditional notion that RHIP (rank hath its privileges) – or logical given the need for military personnel to believe that every member is equally treated under regulations. So why a differing standard?

Well, let’s look at the reasons for the violations.

Kokesh and Madden, those two Marines were participating in anti-war protests, were photographed taking part in an anti-war march after having completed active duty. Generals Jack Catton, Bob Caslen, Vincent Brooks, and Peter Sutton were proselytizing for Christian Embassy and were photographed while working at The Pentagon.

In the case of the two Marines who protested against the war, the prosecution was swift and brutal:

Recently, the US Marine Corps prosecuted Cpl. Adam Kokesh and Marine Sgt. Liam Madden, both of whom were photographed marching in an antiwar protest while wearing their uniforms in what the Marine Corps says was a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Military prosecutors vigorously sought to have both men dishonorably discharged. – truthout.org

In the case of the Pentagon officers who spoke out for Christian Embassy, the inspector general’s report is rather gentler. It recommends only:

That the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Army consider appropriate corrective action (emphasis mine) with respect to the military officers concerned. – Inspector General’s report

It seems highly unlikely that these officers will face the prospect of dishonorable discharge for supporting the Jesus agenda of The Decider. That kind of danger will continue to be reserved for military personnel courageous enough to oppose the Iraq debacle….