>The idea that Obama or any politician would visit a warzone and then risk "blowing off" military personnel, in election year, is like saying that a politician would refuse to take the baby and smile for the camera. I don't know why an officer apparently sent his family such a sensational message signed with his full rank and unit...

You have been in a situation, I'm sure, where you wrote home. You know that the most important information they want from you is your full name and rank within the organization, which they otherwise wouldn't know unless you repeat that in every message.