Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
GENERAL ERIC K. SHINSEKI
Chief of Staff, United States Army
General Shinseki assumed duties as the 34th Chief of Staff, United States Army, on 22 June 1999.
Gen. Shinseki was born in Lihue on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, on Nov. 28, 1942. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in English Literature from Duke University. Shinseki’s military education includes the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.
Since his commissioning, Shinseki has served in a variety of command and staff assignments both in the Continental U.S. and overseas, to include two combat tours with the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions in the Republic of Vietnam as an artillery forward observer and as commander of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry. He has served in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks with Headquarters, United States Army Hawaii, and Fort Shafter with Headquarters, United States Army Pacific.
Shinseki has taught at the United States Military Academy’s Department of English. During duty with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas, he served as the regimental adjutant and as the executive officer of its 1st Squadron. His ten-plus years of service in Europe included assignments as commander, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry (Schweinfurt); commander, 2nd Brigade, (Kitzingen); assistant chief of staff G3 (Operations, Plans and Training) (Wuerzburg); and assistant division commander, maneuver (Schweinfurt), all with the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized).
Shinseki served as the assistant chief of staff, G3 (Operations, Plans and Training), VII Corps (Stuttgart). He served as the deputy chief of staff for support, Allied Land Forces Southern Europe (Verona, Italy), an element of the Allied Command Europe. From March 1994 to July 1995, he commanded the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. In July 1996, he was promoted to lieutenant general and became the deputy chief of staff for operations and plans, U.S. Army. In June 1997, Shinseki was appointed to the rank of general before assuming duties as the commanding ceneral, U.S. Army Europe; commander, Allied Land Forces Central Europe; and commander, NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Gen. Shinseki assumed duties as the 28th Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army on Nov. 24, 1998.
General Shinseki has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service
Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device (with 2 Oak
Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf
Clusters), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement
Medal, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Joint
Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
6/99 - named Chief of Staff
11/98 - named Vice Chief of Staff
6/97 - promoted to General (served NATO in Bosnia)
7/96 - promoted to Lt. Gen.
94-95 - Division Commander.
Can any of you military experts out there comment as to how typical this type of ascent has been?
Looks to me like he had a friend in high places.
Re: Friends in high places. Our representatives in Washington control our military; it follows that they would want to curry and groom certain officers for future roles that would facilitate governmental agendas.
He's a WUSS!
General Eric Shinseki, was possibly rebuff by an Army Ranger for his romantic advances toward the Ranger! Now he is taking his revenge.
THIS certainly smacks of "agenda."
Just following in the steps of his buddy colin.
Notice no service in desert storm, would have been very prominent if he lead troops there.
Which means his combat experience is more than thirty years old.
No love for sneaky petes, that is why the new campaign (recuriting) and the dislike of Black Berets.
IT'S TIME FOR SHINSEKI TO GO........NOW
I have noticed that they don't mention anything about a wife in his "bio."
Seems like he'd be a good guy to send over to clean up Kosovo.
Sure, he can give them all red berets so they will all be friends.
he graduated from west point, got a master's degree at Duke in English at army's expense, he served 2 tours in Vietnam, meaning that he almost certainly volunteered for the 2'nd one, he an infantry man, the most dangerous job, received a purple heart, in other words he was in battle and went back for more, this is a man who can lead troops. His rise in the last few years has been rapid, but that is normal.
He was named by Evil Willie, and a whole lot of pomp was made over his being an Asian-American (Sen. Inouye waving the Hawaiian flag, etc.).
He obviously passed muster with the NATO crowd, which is not good for US.
He may have been a good soldier, but I don't want him leading our Army.
He lost a leg in Vietnam. He is married - I saw an article about his wife speaking at an Officer's Wives Club function recently. I sat in the audience of a symposium he chaired last June. He seems like decent person.
That said, I don't necessarily agree with his Army Transformation to a wheeled force concept and I definitely disagree with his Republican Guard/Monica beret move.
I have no reason to doubt his courage, although under the x42 mob military decorations were given out for political reasons.
The 'toons populated their ranks with minorities and far-lefties that never would have made it purely on merit.
He is NOT an infantry officer. See bio.. He is an Armor Officer, as he graduated from the Armor Advanced School, and commanded Cavalry units. Pay attention
Thanks for the input. As you say, he may well be a decent person....but the more I read about him (Hotbot search on 'shinseki') the more I think he should be replaced.
It's idle to speculate about people you never met, but I think he may be a decent guy who was promoted over his head. He didn't make general officer until just a few years ago, and now he's running the whole show. There was a book about that, "The Peter Principle," about what happens when people get promoted beyond their abilities. Besides which, I am inclined to be suspicious of anyone whom clinton and his Pentagon stooges promoted that fast.
Agreed.
Let's see........do adjectives like:
or...Quisling Rat....
This guy seems to want to do away with Heavy Armor, He was trying to push threw a Rapid Reaction Force for overseas conflicts. He thinks that thing in the Constitution about fighting a War on two fronts is Old News! I don't really Trust Him.
ABSOLUTELY!
Any Evil Willie nominee is worthy of suspicion.
As commander of the First Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, he was the immediate successor of Wesley Clark. As head of the force in Bosnia, he again occupied a position that Clark had held, although I don't think in this case he was his immediate successor.
KATIE BAR THE DOOR!
No wonder Krington wanted him running the "US" Army?
"Sept. 1966-April 1967: Patient, Tripler Hospital." Served his country honorably.
Got "screwed" out of ODS by the requirement to have joint time for promotion at the wrong time.
Bet my butt off he did everything he could for the troops in ODS. Flew into his AOR IRT Saudi prior to the outbreak of conflict and was treated like a saint.
Don't agree with the beanie promoters or wheelies, but he know more about it than I do.
Lay off him guys.
You got Kennedy and Daschle out there trying to destroy the country for votes.
A biographical sketch of Gen. Eric Shinseki: Nov. 28, 1942: Born in Lihue. April 1960: Selected as youth governor of annual Hawaii H-Y and Tri-Hi-Y Model Legislature. June 1960: Graduates Kauai High. 1965: Graduates West Point. Dec. 1965-Aug. 1966: Forward observer, 25th Infantry, Vietnam. Sept. 1966-April 1967: Patient, Tripler Hospital. April 1967-Aug. 1968: Staff officer, Schofield Barracks. Aug. 1968-June 1969: Student, Armor Officer advanced course, Fort Knox, Ky. July 1969-Feb. 1970: XXIV Corps, Vietnam. Feb. 1970-April 1970: Commander A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam. April 1970-March 1971: Patient, Tripler Hospital. Mar. 1971-July 1974: Staff officer, Fort Shafter. Aug. 1974-June 1976: Student, Duke University. June 1976-July 1978: English instructor, West Point. Aug. 1978-June 1979: Student, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. May 1980-June 1981: Adjutant, executive officer, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armor Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bliss, Texas. June 1981-June 1982: Office of Deputy Chief of Staff, Pentagon. June 1982-June 1984: Commander, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany. June 1984-June 1985: Assistant chief of staff, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany. Aug. 1985-June 1986: Student, National War College. June 1986-Sept. 1987: Office of Deputy Chief of Staff, Pentagon Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989: Commander, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany. Oct. 1989-June 1990: Assistant chief of staff for operations, VII Corps, Germany. June 1990-July 1992: Deputy chief of staff for administration and logistics, Allied Land Forces South Europe, Germany. July 1991: Promoted to brigadier general. July 1992-July 1993: Assistant division commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany. July 1993-March 1994: Director of training, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Pentagon. March 1994-July 1995: Commanding general, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. June 1994: Promoted to major general. July 1995-Aug. 1996: Assistant deputy chief of staff for operations and plans, Pentagon. Aug. 1996-July 1997: Deputy chief of staff for operations and plans, Pentagon. Promoted to lieutenant general. July 1997-Nov. 1998: Commander in chief, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army. Commander Stabilization Force, Bosnia. Aug. 1997: Promoted to general. Nov. 1998-June 20: Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Pentagon.
Well, figure this out: Prior to taking control of allied forces in Europe Dwight D. Eisenhower had never seen combat.
In my meager experience as an army officer and having served on a division level staff; once you hit full Colonel and have a successful Brigade Command you can be looking for your "star" within about 18 months; assuming you have the POLITICAL connections on "The HILL."
Once you get the first star (Brigadier General); and have served as an Assist. Division Commander, then comes a Divison Command. Once that is successfully completed, it depends on how you have been "groomed." For example, when I worked for BARRY MACAFFREY (yes...the Clinton Drug Czar!) back in 1983 when he was the G3 for the now defunct 9th Infantry Division...he had already made formidable political connections and it wasn't too long thereafter that he got his CFR credentials...which of course is the KEY to meteroric success.
Just another coincidence, I'm sure?
A pro-NATO type in the office he holds can pretty well destroy us, too.
So why should Dubya not replace a x42 appointee?
Hey thanks for posting this and answering, Who is this guy? I don't care about his past record, something is terribly screwed up in his mind to think that this style over substance and flipping off the Rangers is good for America and good for the Army. Unless, of course, he was just a robot following orders. Sounds like a Clinton gang (Cohen) scenario to me. Who else but the Lib/socialist would think this is a real good move? I don't like the way the whole thing is playing out either. I hope Bush puts an end to it.
My thoughts, exactly.
If he's CFR it's the equivalent to being a mafia "Made Man" and he's got protection. Most of Bush's cabinet is CFR including Cheney and Powell. Clinton and Gore were CFR too. This is a good test. IF the POTUS get's rid of this idiot, then just MAYBE he's his own man. On the other hand....
Regardless of his promotions, the guy is an absolute nobody. GWB could put a stop to his nonsense with a phone call, the Congress could also put a stop to it, so could many much higher in rank than he in the armed forces. The question is why does no one have the spine to tell this jerk to take a hike?
Let me guess...he was an orphan, and "the records were lost in a fire".
WUSS must stand for "Weaken United States Sovereignty."
Everyone PLEASE pay attention and read this man's biography! He is an American of JAPANESE descent. He was NOT adopted!! He is NOT Chinese!
There are quite a few reasons to disagree with the beret thing, but NOT nationality!
The operative term is "Asian-American" - this is the Liberal term that is being hyped by Sinator Inouye and others, to keep A-As voting for 'rats (this way they get more pandering value than if they were to pick either Chinese or Japanese).
I believe Shi*sky (?sp) was pushed up to the top so the 'rats could 'secure' this vote - typical of the x42 mob.
Inouye has really gotten on the podium with this, and interestingly enough just this year he was given an award by West Point -- somebody want to tell me that Shi*sky wasn't in back of THAT!?!
If Bush overrides this guy, the 'rats will start a 'whispering' campaign that he hates Orientals.
INOUYE ANNOUNCES SENATE CONFIRMATION OF GENERAL ERIC SHINSEKI AS NEW U.S. ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF
Wednesday, June 16, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye is pleased to announce that General Eric K. Shinseki, by unanimous consent, was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the Department of the Army's 34th Chief of Staff. In his new capacity, General Shinseki will perform the diverse duties of Chief of Staff as set forth in Title 10 of the U.S. Code, including ensuring the Army provides trained and ready forces to the nine U.S. combatant commands, presiding over the Army Staff, and serving as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has served as the Army Vice Chief of Staff since 1998.
"I wish to extend my congratulations and best wishes to General Shinseki in his new capacity as the U.S. Army Chief of Staff. In February of 1942, the United States Selective Service System, because of the hysteria of that time, declared that all Japanese, citizens or other wise, be designated 4C – enemy alien. At the time of General Shinseki's birth, he was an enemy alien, and today, to the great glory of the United States, I have the privilege of congratulating him on his appointment as the Army's 34th Chief of Staff. This can happen only in the United States," said Senator Inouye.
"General Shinseki is an outstanding leader with an impressive 34-year career with the Department of the Army. His commitment to his duties, and outstanding service to preserve and defend our nation's democratic principles have prepared him well. Our nation can only be as strong as the people who are willing to meet the challenge. I am certain that General Shinseki will represent the State of Hawaii and our nation with much integrity and distinction," continued Inouye.
General Shinseki has served in command, and in staff assignments of increasing responsibility in both the United States and overseas, including combat tours. General Shinseki commanded the 1st Calvary Division at Fort Hood, Texas from March 1994 to July 1995. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Headquarters, Department of the Army from August 1996 to June 1997, and as Commanding General, United States Army-Europe & Seventh Army from August 1997 to November 1998. In addition, he concurrently commanded NATO soldiers as the Commander, Allied Land Forces Central Europe in Heidelberg, Germany from August 1997 to April 1998. From July 1997 to October 1998, General Shinseki served as Commander, Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Born in Lihue, General Shinseki graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1965 with a bachelor of science degree in Engineering. He also attended Duke University where he earned a master's degree in English Literature. General Shinseki's military education includes the Army Officer Advanced Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.
Yes, Ed, and for Inouye this is a big deal, since he is also an Asian American. How unfortunate that the PC crowd and affirmative action have shattered the dream that Inouye fought (and lost an arm for) during World War II....that we are all AMERICANS!
My point on this is that by going off on his "Chinese" ancestry we make ourselves look pretty silly.
The beret thing was a TERRIBLE decision, and if I had to place my bets, I think you could trace it back to that woman whom Clinton appointed to be head of the Army after Togo West. It sounds like her type of stuff.
Well, then, you need to find another place to post. That is a racist comment.
Tora! Tora! Tora!
I don't disagree.
I do think he's a globalist who's been "Peter Principled," tho, and should be replaced.
(Banner graphic would not copy -- this is from the Association of Graduates page at the West Point (USMA) site)
2001 Thayer Award Recipient and Distinguished Graduates
Thayer Award - Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Distinguished Graduates - GEN George S. Blanchard '44
GEN Charles A. Gabriel '50
LTG Howard D. Graves '61
COL James L. Hayden '45
Mr. Stanley C. Pace, June '43
(Remainder deleted.)
The Sinator just couldn't pass up the opportunity to mention "4C."
I always find it reassuring when those in government or the military don't know the difference between "Calvary" and "Cavalry."
"He's a WUSS!"
Really. And how many Purple Hearts does it take to be a "Wuss" in your book?
How many times have YOU been wounded, out of curiosity?
BTW, I don't expect an answer; just slink off..
I really don't care if he's Japanese or Chinese; neither is American to me.
so you get to decide who is an american ? while I dont agree with the beret flap - stating that man isnt american after he has served the country is wrong -
Elain Chao? Kristy Namaguchi? Excuse me, but these are my people as well.
Your comment was racist, your talk about "betraying their own people" is racist, your comment that Japanese and Chinese ancestry people are not American, all are racist comments.
I am going to church, and I would suggest you re-think your position.
Well, Mr. Spike - Looks like you're off your medication again..
How does an undistinguished REMF like you come up with such garbage?
Gen Shinseki is a proven innovator and leader.
You, however don't amount to a hill of beans...unless, of course, you'd like to post YOUR DD-214..
Imbecile...Shinseki is a Japanese-American name. Any idiot with a marginal education would know that...
Racism's ugly..
If Shinseki is an infantry man why didn’t he go through the infantry school?
His bio talks about going through Ft. Knox’s Armor School.
BTW, earning the Ranger Tab and being a Ranger are two different animals. Remember in the late 60’s and early 70’s collecting qualification badges/tabs was a way to flesh out your personnel file and they didn’t represent a commitment to anything other than yourself.
As a former Infantry officer in the U.S. Army, allow me to make some observations: 1. After reviewing Gen. Shinseki's military record here I find nothing strikingly unusual about it. It seems to me his record speaks for itself. The job of Artillery forward observer is one of the most dangerous in combat operations, and one is generally attached to an infantry unit. This is the person that an infantry company commander turns to when planning and requesting fire support in combat. The fact that he rose quickly through the ranks after 1995 is testament to the fact that in the Army (and other services) general officer rank and its assignments are almost entirely political. This is an unfortunate fact, but it is reality. 2. Some here have made comments concerning his race. I find that completely irrelevant. He was born in Hawaii, he is an American citizen. 3. I do not agree with his decision to give beret's to all soldiers, although I have never liked the Army's dress caps. I believe the black beret is the Ranger beret, though now it is to be tan. Orders are orders. 4. Despite all that we do not like about our government and its meddlings, we cannot be "summer soldiers and sunshine patriots," we must shoulder our rucks and carry on. That is our duty.
I think Shinseki punched all the right tickets, got a solid record of achievement. He's Cav, so that might explain his goofy decision on the berets. Notice that he's a English teacher, literature a specialty, that could explain his good relationship with the famed poet, Secretary of Defense, William Cohen.
We gotta face it folks, republican Bill Cohen, working for Bill Clinton, was responsible for most that is wrong with the military today. He let it happen. Not only that, Cohen would have been in favor of an ethnic minority officer getting fast track promotions under his watch, whether or not he was the most qualified, or best suited, for the job.
Thanks!
People ARE equal, Tero0...except to Nazis...Which is exactly what your ravings sound like..
Why is it that the vaunted FreeRepublic seems to the final resting place of draft-dodging, non-achieving, small-minded racists?
General Shinseki is a patriot, a war hero, and a trusted leader. We're lucky to have him in the postion he's in.
You, however, need to slink back under your rock.
"...famed poet, Secretary of Defense, William Cohen."
LOL!! FANTASTIC!
Ed, everyone makes the "cav"..."cal" mistake in typing, attribute it to our background of hymn singing, not ignorance.
I hope everyone who reads this thread pays more attention to those who with military experience and personal knowledge, than those who shoot down Shineski with mindless insults.
Damn shame, we really do eat our own, don't we?
Japanese ya moron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And he's American despite his evil, dumbass ideas
I agree with you regarding racism.
FR should not be scapegoated, however - there are some genuinely racist sites around, frequently disguised as "Liberal causes," and they are censored so no opposing views are seen.
Do you know S personally? Sounds like you're pretty worked up about this -- is he really the most qualified for this position, or do you just agree with his political bent?
Notice no service in desert storm
Everyone in the military did not get to go to desert storm. I had just completed a 5 year sea-duty tour and spent the entire war sitting stateside teaching Sailors and Marines how to fix airplanes. Many of of the people I worked with volunteered for gulf duty because they knew that combat service opens future doors in the military. For the most part, they were told to stay where they were, they had jobs to do, do them.
What General Shenseki did 30 years ago versus what he is doing now are two different things.
I admire him for his service, as I admire any vet for their service, and I have a special place in my heart for those that have been wounded in battle.
But to grant an unconditional pass to the General, based upon his previous actions, is not only incorrect, it is dangerous.
General Shinseki is now a political hack, surrounded by ass-kissing staff weinies that have one purpose and one purpose only; to further their own careers, and if done so at the expense of the troops, well, then so be it.
It is obvious that you know nothing of the machinations at the Chief of Staff level. General Shinseki was groomed for this postition beginning just about the time Inouye recognized that Shinseki would be a sterling representation of "cultural diversification" in our armed forces. From there, it was just a matter of bringing Slick on board. Slick most definitely influenced Shinseki's rise to prominence from there on. General Shinseki went into that with blinders on, and made the stupid assumption that Slick would do something for him because he "liked" him, and respected his abilities.
Unfortunately, the good General has far exceeded his abilities and has failed to realize that he has been used by nearly everyone.
Now, don't go getting all red, white and blue patriotic on me, and give me all the hooah about his "war" service. I take nothing away from that, but I put him in the same category as ex-Senator Kerrey, from Nebraska (or Kerry, can't remember exact spelling), who received a Medal of Honor for actions in VN. This flaming liberal is no friend of the military and is another story in and of himself,(do a search and see just how much he does not support the veteran) but the point is: Respect the act and the medal and the circumstances under which it was awarded, but don't lose sight of the fact that people do change. Some improve upon a very good thing, others go down hill.
I would be a damn fool if I thought I was the same person I was 30 years ago, and so would anyone else. People change and personalities are not constant.
No one, and I mean no one, functions at the National Command level without being either a ruthless, charismatic, warrior and absolute leader, or an ass-kissing, brown-nosing political creature that is sniffing to see not only which way the wind is blowing, but what the wind is carrying.
General Shinseki and his staff fall in the latter category and that is truly unfortunate. I knew several of them in a previous "life", and I can state unequivocally that they have all, without exception, sold out to the political machine and have all been corrupted by the 8 years of Slick Willy's "touch-feely", "warm and fuzzy", load of crap.
Power corrupts absolutely and once corrupted, all motives are suspect. Sad, but true. General Shinseki needs to move out of the way and President Bush needs to clean house from there.
But I harbor no illusions. The only thing that will clean out that hotbed of wannabe warriors is a good war. Then see how quick some of those "warriors" throw that unearned beret down and run for the retirement hills.
I don't know Gen Shinseki personally but work parallel development issues daily. He's a pro and anything but a Clinton shill. His ideas get a lot of juices worked up but he's doing more to make the Army take a hard look at the future and make some necessary and tough choices. I particularly enjoy the fact that he has ingnored the massive defense industry lobby to go for what the Army needs to transform from the "Fulda Gap" mentality to a more rapid-deploying, effective force.
I get pretty worked up when I hear the "archair heroes" choir get going on this site...I really expected more military knowledge and experience on a conservative site. Amazes me that so many could read his bio and not see two (2) Purple Hearts! Says almost everything you need to know about the guy..
No, equality is a Christian precept, long before Karl Marx ever showed up.
If you'd spent Day One in your country's Armed Forces (assuming you are an American), you'd know that equality in guts, patriotism, and selflessness among all of the American people that serve is a proven fact.
Note his rapid rise in rank in the years since 1995
This is normal in the military, especially at the highest levels. Either you promote on schedule, every time, or you retire.
I would imagine that if you look at the bio of any flag officer above Major Gen./Rear Adm. you would see a similar rise to the top. However,as noted earier in this thread, it is a political process, and we can't know what qualities the review boards were screening for.
The jury is still out on his wheels-v-tracks decision for the new LAV.
This "beret thing" was a total bonehead play. I liken the decision to put the whole Army in black berets to "Social Promotion" in public schools. It makes the majority feel better, but really torques-off those who really worked hard to achieve their goal. Just plain dumb.
"It is obvious that you know nothing of the machinations at the Chief of Staff level""..
Well, OldSmaj, you're wrong..I have a good deal more time at that level and with the JCS than I'm sure you have. It sounds as though you have a good dose of resentment and disloyalty going and should have retired a long time ago.
If you had any sense of vision, you'd realize that the Army has to transform itself from elephantine sluggishness to higher mobility and greater combat efficiency. The days of tanks and SP guns that are too heavy to be carried by anything but the largest aircraft and can't cross bridges are over. Gen Shinseki is just the first senior leader in the Army to get out and say it. From his bio it's obvious that he accepted tough assignments, got serious about his education, and stayed in positions of responsibility.
Your attitudes do not do you credit, Sergeant Major.
I, along with most here, didn't care for his decision on the Black Beret issue. However, I will not disparage the mans character and service to an "ungrateful nation" solely based upon that.
Having grown up as an Army brat and having spent 10 years active duty myself I do know that advancement to his grade doesn't come without political influence. I would guess that his time in the sun has come and gone and it won't be long before he, as many others before, "just fades away."
Other than a parade and some snappy salutes from those left "standing the line", the "ungrateful nation" will just yawn and clamor for some more bennies from their "Uncle Sugar", and life will go on.
Shortly there after some other individual will become the object of derision and scorn
of the masses. All will be well normal, as usual.
I really expected more military knowledge and experience on a conservative site.
Unfortunately, a reflection of our society.
Based on the last "Thank you, Veterans" thread, I think we have better than average representation here.
Re your 38; well said, but of course it just doesn't quite seem to fit in with the tenor of intolerance it takes to post of FR these days.
Re your #50. Well said brother!
From an ex-FO, thank you.
As I posted above, I have no reason to question his courage, or ability as a soldier -- but being awarded two Purple Hearts does NOT qualify him to be Chief of Staff.
I know I was part of the 40% that had to stay in europe myself, but look at his units and then wonder why he was in DS, Generals were popping in out of there like they always do to enhance their resumes and get their taxes taken care of.
The generals and colnels who served there should be hitting the up brass about now.
So where was he.
Thanks for the input.