Get best of sb

[masterding]

From VOA News:
"The Air Force scandal comes as the NATO commander in Afghanistan, Marine General John Allen, is being investigated for sending allegedly inappropriate emails to a Florida woman.
The Allen investigation began after the FBI found the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, retired general David Petraeus, was having an extramarital affair. The scandal forced him to resign as CIA director.
Retired Air Force Colonel Chuck Summers said bad decisions and technology got the best of Allen and Petraeus.
"People used to have to physically find you and take a picture of you, but now with computers and smart phones everything can be found out. So you are crazy if you start trying to have a flirtatious affair using a computer or smart phone," said Summers.
Recently, General Jeffrey Sinclair was charged with adultery and sexual assault against several female subordinates. And the former head of the U.S. Africa command, General William "Kip" Ward, was demoted and resigned after illegally spending $80,000 of government funds.
Summers said he is troubled by military leaders who abuse their authority.
"I think commanders have to realize how much power they have and that people just jump at their every command. People want to please commanders because that is how they get promoted. But also they have to be wary that people out there for whatever reason are looking over their shoulders trying to catch them. Any little mistake they make they become vulnerable to criticism and ridicule," said Summers."

My questions:
1 What does "get best of " mean here?
2 I assume "jump at every command" means to obey their order, but I don't see why they have to realize that? Isn't it subordinates' duty to take order from their commanders?what's his point?

Thanks.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Masterding:


In my opinion (I am not a good reader), I think that Colonel Summers wanted to say something like this:

Commanders should remember that subordinates -- because they realize that their careers depend on the decisions of

their commanders -- both fear and dislike those commanders. And that those subordinates are looking for any excuse to

humilitate those commanders. In other words, subordinates realize that they have to "jump at every command," but in their

hearts they resent the fact that their professional careers depend so much on what one or two commanders think of them.

So if those subordinates can find some juicy scandal about those commanders, those subordinates will do what they can to

let the whole world know. That is what commanders should remember when those commanders are thinking about doing

something illegal or naughty.


James

 

[billmcd]

"got the best of" = responsible for a downfall, defect or shortcoming

"realize"/"jump at their every command" in this context means that some commanders don't understand that subordinates follow commands not necessarily because of whether the issue is right, but rather that they want to please the officer.