I’m not at all sure McChrystal did any of this on purpose. Or not much other than tender his resignation for the sake of his men. I suspect the ‘aides’ let it happen and it unfolded from there. And yes, there is an element of McChrystal’s not doing enough to counter the ROE, but, really, what else could he have done, being an officer, not to flirt with Court Martial or gross insubordination or ... whatever they would throw at him for not following ROE? What is 180 degrees from what he did do? What would you have advised him to do?
Honor and respect for the men entrusted to him would have just dictated that he decline the offer and resign once a suitable replacement could be instilled. By making the deal to keep the star we now know he did not fullfill the minimums to keep, says it all.
Remember Patton; (paraphrasing) No poor bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won the war by making the other poor bastard die for his.
I thought that was the gist of your post. My apologies if I misunderstood your intent.
...but, really, what else could he have done, ...?
That is very simple. He could have resigned and told the President, privately, why.