If it was anyone other than Obama, I would feel bad for him. There are many times when Obama gives what should be positive, military-centered applause lines, pauses, and doesn’t even have one soldier clapping. Is there peer pressure to remain silent? Do 99% of our soldiers hate Obama as much as most decent Americans do? Or were the troops standing in formation for four hours before Obama showed up, and even those who still like Obama for his diversity are too bored to care?
Carter visited Offutt AFB, Nebraska, late in his one term as POTUS.
At that time, Offutt AFB was SAC HQ.
While I can't account for other base personnel, I can relate that the entire SAC HQ Intelligence Division was on lockdown throughout his visit. None of us were ordered to attend. None of us would have obeyed that order.
OTOH
When President Reagan visited Anderson AFB (Guam), that was the one and only time I took full advantage of my rank and position for my own benefit, and stood for 2 hours on a hot tarmac, to be there to welcome him, and hear anything he cared to say to those of us who volunteered/schemed to assemble in formation to greet him.
And yes, we ranking NCOs broke protocol, clapped, laughed and were a very appreciative and supportive audience for a highly respected civilian POTUS and our CINC. From what I have gathered, President Bush had similar receptions from active duty military members, although his stops went deeper than short touch and go's at various overseas military installations.
It’s almost certainly not “99%” of the troops, but it is a pretty high percentage, I’m sure.
To answer your question, a combination of the two. Joe Snuffy is expected to be on time to everything, but the POTUS can just saunter in whenever he likes? Complete disregard of other people’s time.
His applause lines were a joke. I would’ve been stone-faced in that audience, too, and not just b/c I loathe that guy. His speech made no sense. It’s a classic example of “don’t pay attention to what I do or have previously said, just listen to what I’m saying right now!” Pathetic. I certainly had my problems with GWB, but there was never any doubt as to his care and concern for us in the military. There’s also no doubt that Obama hates us with a passion, and the feeling is mutual.
I hope he stalked off that stage fuming mad at his campaign props.