re: #283 Blind Frog Belly White

From the article I linked to:

It’s changing jobs as a 3 or 4 star general, not the particular position.

OTOH, when retired Gen. Mattis was nominated for SecDef, Congress had to pass an exemption to allow him, as a retired General, to take the job. There’s a specific, statutory prohibition.

That’s the point. 3-4 star general officers have to be confirmed to take any position in the civilian branch of the government. Hence, Mattis had to be confirmed by the Senate.