Posted on 11/17/2007 8:42:51 AM PST by Tennessean4Bush
Petraeus Helping Pick New Generals
Army Says Innovation Will Be Rewarded
By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 17, 2007; Page A01
The Army has summoned the top U.S. commander in Iraq back to Washington to preside over a board that will pick some of the next generation of Army leaders, an unusual decision that officials say represents a vote of confidence in Gen. David H. Petraeus's conduct of the war, as well as the Army counterinsurgency doctrine he helped rewrite.
The Army has long been criticized for rewarding conventional military thinking and experience in traditional combat operations, and current and former defense officials have pointed to Petraeus's involvement in the promotion board process this month as a sign of the Army's commitment to encouraging innovation and rewarding skills beyond the battlefield.
Some junior and midlevel officers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been particularly outspoken in their criticisms, saying the Army's current leadership lacks a hands-on understanding of today's conflicts and has not listened to feedback from younger personnel.
"It's unprecedented for the commander of an active theater to be brought back to head something like a brigadier generals board," said retired Maj. Gen. Robert Scales, former head of the Army War College. A senior defense official said Petraeus is "far too high-profile for this to be a subtle thing."
The board, composed of 15 Army generals, will examine a pool of more than 1,000 colonels to select about 40 brigadier generals, expected to lead the service over the next decade or longer. Although each board member has an equal vote on the candidates, Petraeus will be able to guide the discussion.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Go read about the mess that occurred in Bremer’s office, stacked with boys and girls out for a quick tour because they worked on the campaign and you won’t like neocon’s much anymore. In this aspect they were as bad as the Gore/Clintons getting others killed while some rich daddy’s little girl got a job that should have gone to someone who had a clue.
I am a retired O6 and have a high regard for folks who serve. But I feel a strong obligation to point out poor leadership when it is happening. There is no excuse for getting folks killed unnecessarily because you can’t be bothered to put someone in charge who has a clue what he is doing.
My bets, COL McMasters finally gets his star. I also think COL Shields, formerly my commander in the 172 SBCT, gets his first star.
The Army has summoned the top U.S. commander in Iraq back to Washington to preside over a board that will pick some of the next generation of Army leaders, an unusual decision that officials say represents a vote of confidence in Gen. David H. Petraeus's conduct of the war, as well as the Army counterinsurgency doctrine he helped rewrite.I hope they keep some of the old school around, for the early phases of a war, when a legitimate enemy army has to be knocked apart in a hurry.
I’ll bet Weasly Clark was a big advocate of Don’t ask don’t tell. As was his driver.
Pray for W and Our Victorious Troops
Oh me too. I was just reporting what I found in my quick goggle of the topic not my personal opinions. I like Petraus. Don't know that I would like his politics, but he is exactly the right person in exactly the right job at exactly the right moment in history. God has once again blessed the USA far beyond our merits.
Amen!!!
Fantastic Churchill quote - never heard that one before!
And thank you for your service to our nation.
INMHO former soldiers are the only viable leaders left to lead this nation. Officers are taught to balance mission needs and the welfare of their men. Many civilians do not know that officers must lead by example in the field. They must share the risks, discomforts and rigors with the men they lead. Today we have lawyers lead us in government and corporate CEO lead us in economics. What have we seen so far, candidates that promise and lie (despise the voter for being too trusting by shafting them over and over and over), and the CEO who take care of themselves first and throw the workers to wolves when the company undergoes challenges, and worst treat American workers like condoms (use them and throw them away) even in good times. The US needs leaders who take care of their men to the point that their men would follow him to hell and back, the US needs leaders who selects and promotes people based on accomplishment and not how much their rich daddies contributed, ethnicity, gender, etc, etc, etc. The only professional leadership class that can revive America and throw out the status BS political class (businessmen, financiers, professors and lawyers) will be the military class.
GREAT NEWS! THANKS.
Maybe in Iraq - but in Afghanistan, in the northeast Provinces, it's as bad as the first week - Or maybe you wouldn't call being engaged in 450 firefights in just one 4 1/2 period (more per day since) any problem... I pray one of the first to be sent anywhere else is a leader called "Chip" = I think his disastrous leadership has finally come to light what with the ABC film on Monday;s (the 12th) NIGHTLINE that followed the battle "Rock Avalanche" *4 KIA)- only to be followed by news of the battle on the l6th, loosing another 6 in the same exact set up =
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071110/ap_on_re_as/afghan_violence
both being repeat-repeat-repeat... I pray Petraeus will now concentrate on this area and our troops there that are being sent out like ducks in a shooting gallery =
Thanks for the ping. Saving great photo.
> Even when General Petraeus is going to “win” Iraq, I do not see him as having political ambitions. He’ll rather retire to a quiet life on a farm or something. <
Sorta reminds me of George Washington!
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