Selecting Generals and Admirals Who can Fight and Stay out of Jail
By Gary Anderson
June 12, 2024
U.S. Naval Institute Archive
U.S. Naval Institute Photo ArchiveThe recent arrest of Admiral Robert Burke on corruption charges is an indication of the decline in the quality and integrity of our general and flag officers (GFOs) to an alarming degree. To remedy this decline, Congress needs to re-evaluate how we GFOs. Since retiring from active duty in 2000, I have known several military officers who achieved flag or general officer rank and for a disturbing number of them, I would not follow into a pillow fight, much less armed combat. Too many reached that rank by being skilled bureaucrats, not making enemies, and keeping superiors happy.
An alarming number led our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, not all were ineffectual, but too many were. That does not mean that they were bad officers, many are accomplished managers and technocrats who have done great service for their country, and we need them to keep our complex war machine running. For example, General Leslie Groves, who managed the Manhattan Project that developed the Atomic Bomb would have been a mediocre combat leader, but his managerial skills and judgment were superb. But how to we ensure that our GFOs possess the warfighting and leadership skill necessary to lead our military.
It takes a special set of skills to be an effective combatant commander. This is particularly true in today's complex environment where civilians are often used as human shields. We need a way to identify those potential GFOs who are fit to command in combat from the division level to theater command from those who should manage offices at the Pentagon and other high-level staff positions. The "One size fits all" GFO selection needs to be replaced.
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2024/06/12/selecting_generals_and_admirals_who_can_fight_and_stay_out_of_jail_1037579.html
