They were retired just like you and once out of uniform are free to express their opinion as you also express your opinion. Before your retirement how many direct orders did you disobey?
I repeat the last thing I said. Generals, like the current chief of staff, get called back. Enlisted are highly unlikely to get called back unless a major shortage in the time of war. Generals mouths open draw much more attention to that of NCO's who express the same. I seriously doubt if I openly disagreeded with Bush or the administration or Rumsfeld, that I would draw a crowd. Generals however draw major MSM coverages. As for disobeying lawful orders, if lawful, I never disobeyed one. Do you know what the difference is? If not, read the UCMJ.