You don't need to give contemporary US commanders the back hand in order to praise Patton.
But there is a big difference in military climate. Patton could spend most of his career on the tactical and strategic arts, from becoming a master fencer and excellent pistol and rifle man on up to the tactical and strategic operations of armored regiments. Todays military officer, however, smart, must spend most of his life burdened with administrative chores, and if he plays hooky from his bureaucratic jobs to enhance his military arts, will suffer promotion wise.
No disrespect meant toward any military commander. Those guys are doing what most of only dream about.
Agree. The guys who staged the “Thunder Run” into Baghdad were every bit as innovative, and clearly Petraeus is among the finest, most insightful military minds we’ve had in decades.
“You don’t need to give contemporary US commanders the back hand in order to praise Patton.”
He’s not. Bradley once pointed out to Patton that modern generals would be more administrators and politicians than warriors. He was right.