General Failure

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/11/general-failure/309148/3/?single_page=true

General Failure

Looking back on the troubled wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, many observers are content to lay blame on the Bush administration. But inept leadership by American generals was also responsible for the failure of those wars. A culture of mediocrity has taken hold within the Army’s leadership rank—if it is not uprooted, the country’s next war is unlikely to unfold any better than the last two.

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Long read but interesting article. If its all true, extremely disturbing, but otherwise I think it gives a look into the top levels of our military and government in the past decade of war.

There is a similar misguidance amongst the Australians where military and national interest do not align. It's unfortunate to see our generals (US) increasingly become more careerist than strategically effective. There was a lot of mention to the misuse or rejection of intelligence, which seems very confronting. I recently had a conversation with an Indonesian Army Colonel who highlighted some of these mistakes in the US and Australian militarys.

Perhaps there is still time for change?

I would be interested in the Indonesian general's explanation why his country control can't control the entirety of his nation.

Chockstock said:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/11/general-failure/309148/3/?single_page=true




Long read but interesting article. If its all true, extremely disturbing, but otherwise I think it gives a look into the top levels of our military and government in the past decade of war.

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We will never the know the truth.

I have learned as I progressed in my military career what I saw (as a junior officer) as lack of leadership senior officers was somtimes due to limitation and constraints.

It's likely some bad ones are promoted, and some good ones just get out. Of course there are some good admirals and generals out there.

LineInTheSand said:

It's likely some bad ones are promoted, and some good ones just get out. Of course there are some good admirals and generals out there.

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There is no doubt about that! Too bad they didn't have the stars or positions to make a difference.