Being wined and dined and being offered copious amounts of money and sex can suborn some of our county's best and brightest men and women (much more commonly the former than the latter).  This should hardly be a surprise as all of us grew up learning "anyone can be bought."

And there is one other motive that can lead to forsaking one's oath and personal honor:  cold revenge.  General Benedict Arnold was not the first officer of command rank to betray his country after being passed over for promotion and having others take credit for his accomplishments.  Perhaps in such cases even some sympathy can be understood, if not openly approved of, if actual misdeeds were committed against the betrayer.  Some say the1887 commemoration of Benedict Arnold's left foot or boot is an example of such sympathy.  I suspect a disappointingly large number of would-be Benedict Arnolds currently serve the U.S. Armed forces at all levels, from E-1 to at least O-8.

More to come I'm afraid.