Military or Civilian, the Rules Do Apply : Action against the abusers of perks shows the brass aren’t immune

It has been an instructive spring for high-ranking civilian and military personnel who have taken license with government flying privileges.

The misuse of government aircraft resulted in new flight clearance arrangements for White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu. Vice President Dan Quayle used a government plane to fly to Georgia for an expensive round of golf, and that certainly hasn’t helped to improve his public image. And for the commander of the Marine Corps’ Western air bases, a publicly funded frequent-flier program turned out to be a one-way ticket to boot camp--a set of orders to a yet-to-be-defined assignment at Quantico, Va.

The flap over the misuse of military aircraft by the high command at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro has been especially embarrassing for the military because it was reported in the wake of the Gulf War victory. The troops were arriving home, and so was this controversy--a bit like an unruly guest at a formal party. Brig. Gen. Wayne T. Adams, called on the carpet by the Marine Corps’ inspector general, found himself in Washington answering questions when he might have been at El Toro, proudly planning Saturday’s welcome-home parade with community leaders.

The Marines’ decision to reassign the general while the investigation continues did a lot more than deprive him of a moment in the limelight. It demonstrated a recognition that when the top gun is under a cloud, it’s tough to carry on down the chain of command.

Adams allegedly had taken personal flights even as he was disciplining two subordinates for the same misuse of authority. Washington’s message that higher-ups will be held to the same standard as underlings is important. It ought to apply to the brass at Marine air bases--as well as to the President’s supporting cast.

Adams’ replacement, Brig. Gen. Harold W. Blot, assistant commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro, has offered a somewhat disappointing and inadequate perspective on the abuse of flight privileges. He said that he saw no need to tighten up confusing regulations, and that it wasn’t at all clear that anybody had done anything wrong in a scandal that has claimed the positions of several top officers. But he was certainly right about one thing. He said there is a need for military leaders “to be more sensitive to perception.”

Taxpayers are making do in a recession and counting their own frequent-flier miles carefully. Public perception matters a great deal in these times, both for the military and for its civilian leaders.