Kurt, I'm in total agreement with you on your Subject/Title here. The actions of those few are deplorable. Instead of "going through the motions", more would've been served by their absense.
My following, although only slightly similar, might provide some food for thought, and I'm purposely omitting most names for obvious reasons...
One of my sons was attached to the Green Bay Marines, a part of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, HQ in New Orleans, when General Al Gray became Commandant. With the General being particularily concerned about security, he had representatives contact each Marine unit to determine their readiness. Since a steel picket fence with an open gate was the utmost there, it was deemed time to improve the situation. A call went out for volunteers for MPs, and since police work was my son's aim, he was accepted. It would be on-the-job training until the next class at Lackland Air Force base. My son, even though he was qualified up to D-9 Cat operations, became an "almost MP", along with 5 other Marines.
When the MP school was to start, the list for attendees came up from 4thMAW, and my son's name wasn't on it. His Skipper, a Mustang Captain, phoned 4thMAW HQ and "demanded" and explaination from a WM Gunny who'd formulated that list. His attitude with her prompted her to transfer him to her CO, a Major. The Leaf the said he'd stand by his Gunny's decision. End of story? No way.
Getting the details, I spent 7 full days, phoning a certain individual at 0800, 1200, and 1700, at a Florida location, and a Wisconsin location. On day #7, at 1700, "Colonel Joe" answered, in Wisconsin. The Colonel had met my son many times at MCL picnics, etc., and befriended him, and gave me a classified address to send the details to. That address belonged to "the right hand man" of, as the Colonel called him, "The Man".
Not long after that, and coincidentally the day before my son was to attend another Reserve meeting, a large manilla envelope arrived at my house. Many of us have received stuff from "Headquarters, Marine Corps", but this one came from "Office of the Commandant", so I took particular notice. Enclosed was a letter, directly to me, from a LtCol, stating basically that a "mistakehas been made", and now corrected. Attached to that letter were numerous small, yellow Post-Its, all in chronological order, such as "Jim, a friend of MOH/WWII needs help. Let's get this back on track. Joe". Then Joe's to Mike. Then Mike's note...and so on.
Marines, our beloved Medal of Honor Society stepped in where no politican dared to tread. My Friend, Colonel Joseph Jerimiah McCarthy, made his Final Muster in 1993, but I'll never forget him. It was at the Iwo Memorial in 2005 that I finally had the chance to personally thank "Colonel B", the receipient of my initial letter to Arlington, Virginia.
Kurt, I've offered something here. If the ball can be picked up, I'm sure you'll carry it.
Semper Fi to your Soldier.