William Paul Thayerwas a test pilot, aviation executive, and United States Deputy Secretary of Defense during the Reagan Administration... (wikipedia)
There was a general fear in the department about people being let go.
The old guys aren't going to go without a buyout.
They displayed their character in standing up for what they believed in.
Civility is a sign of character, and believe me, Vivian and Javad had a lot of character.