That's great. If the veteran fulfills two of those aspects, then it's even more highly principled than what I initially thought.
You said, “During my military career I never strayed from that principle”, and you were talking about the fact that principled stances are not always the best career moves one can make.
I would think that if that's been your history, then you're also prepared to make sure that any of your findings are 100% exposed, no matter what the cost of those who would have to hear them.