Grusch's Rank and Type
During the meeting he mentioned he was a GS15 - the equivalent of a 'full bird colonel (O6).' As many folks here haven't been in the military I thought I'd provide context.
In the Army, AF and Marines an O5 is a 'Lieutenant Colonel.' Grusch is (the equivalent of) one rank higher which is also called a Colonel. As they wear Eagles for rank insignia (O6) instead of a silver oak leafs (O5), they are referred to as 'full bird.' So what does that mean?
This is a very senior rank that takes dedication, ability and political savvy to achieve. A bird colonel (O6) is the highest you can go without being a flag officer (General, Admiral). GS15 the highest before the SES (which is like a flag officer).
In a command situation this person would be in charge of 1000's of people. Example: An O6 is in command of say a military base or large command. An O6 in the Navy would be in charge of a big ship - like a Carrier, or an Air Group with multiple Squadrons. For context Fravor was a Commander (Navy's term for O5) and was the commanding officer of a Squadron (hundreds of people). Fravor would work for someone of Grush's rank. And Graves (O3) would work for Fravor.
Worth noting is his type. When I served we called people like him 'Believers' or 'Sweaters.' The latter meaning someone who sweats the details. People of this type really - overtly- believe in the mission, the Constitution and America as a force for good in the world. They do everything 'by the book.' They shine their shoes, cross their T's, and take their job very seriously. Like him, they can quote specific regulations by the number. They don't mess around which can be exhausting and even irritating but they damn sure are in earnest.
IMHO he is a whistleblower not because of the subject - the UAP part is irrelevant - but because he encountered people who are not following the rules -not going 'by the book.' This offends his sense of mission - of what is right. Even in his whistleblowing he is following the rules exactly. And, he says he wants other whistleblowers to do the same (i.e. go through proper channels). While it's frustrating that everything was 'I'll tell you in a SCIF if you are cleared' to my mind that is the opposite of obfuscation or evasion and is actually very much to his credit. He was absolutely straightforward with every answer - clearly balancing what he knows against what the rules say he can reveal. He is willing to say just about everything to people who are qualified to hear, in a secure facility, because he wants justice to be done not because they are aliens. In my experience with people like him you can basically bank on his truthfulness. He is the dead opposite of a grifter. Thoughts?