Heralded by whom? The average AF O-6 is a slicker sucker than almost any politician. Have you ever listened to them address a crowd? They almost never actually SAY anything. We call it "Colonelspeak". The O-5 (now O-6) who I personally witnessed covering up a rape by using is prosecutorial authority to focus on charging the victim (he succeeded in burying it BTW)is going to be lauded at his retirement by SOMEBODY as a great american. I wouldn't place too much faith in what is said at a retirement ceremony.

Again, I have to give my disclaimer, this only applies to Active AF leadership. I can't speak to other branches, and I know the Guard/Reserve is no where near this bad, although often corrupt in other ways. (Triple dipping, nepotism etc.)

Reference as an example the Wikipedia page of General Foglsong vs. the baseops thread (11 pages long) denouncing him as a terrible leader and officer.

Robert H. Foglesong - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Foglesong Thread - Baseops Forums

Just one of the more onerous examples out there. My personal opinion, 90% of senior AF leaders are careerists out for themselves. Some of those guys somewhat care what happens to thier people and the mission, just not enough to DO something about it. 10% are genuinely good guys who care about the mission and the people, and will stand up to thier bosses/politicians/the press in order to protect what matters. These numbers get worse the higher in rank you go after O-6, with the exception (from what I've heard) of the current CSAF Gen Welsh. The guys who care all get out and go guard/reserve or quit the military completely in disgust.