Very interesting comments. Ultimately though I think responsibility falls on the CinC. The chicaneries of the generals and admirals would naturally take place in an environment where the president wanted to be told what he wanted to hear, and would promote officers who did it. If there was no leadership at the top, naturally the service chiefs would continue the normal practice of jockeying for budget relative to the other services, etc. The author is obviously disappointed that none of the officers had risen above these things, but what could they have done with such a president, other than simply resign?
"Ultimately though I think responsibility falls on the CinC....The author is obviously disappointed that none of the officers had risen above these things, but what could they have done with such a president, other than simply resign?" You are, of course, correct. Proving once again that, when it comes to electing a President (and CinC), character and leadership are critical qualities.
I believe one of members of the JCS did, in fact, resign. But, of course, to no avail. Obviously, a president like LBJ forces otherwise outstanding men into a Hobson's choice: resign (and have no further effect on events) or play along (and hope to minimize the damage).