Trump Fires National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster

[C76706340]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-decides-to-remove-national-security-adviser-and-others-may-follow/2018/03/15/fea2ebae-285c-11e8-bc72-077aa4dab9ef_story.html?utm_term=.1ad93b18083d

I thought I would post this here especially because McMaster is a West Point grad. I pray that this thread does not devolve into a politically heated argument so please, bear with me.

 

[kinnem]

Well, They don't really name their sources so until I see a tweet I'm reluctant to buy it. There has been a lot of talk about different shake ups. It may be true but I'll wait and see.

 

[C76706340]

Yeah, the WP may have jumped the gun on this one...

It does seem like McMaster will be in his way out in the near future, however.

 

[NTWLF ONE]

Eased out with a 4th star on the way and probably a Combatant Command recommendation...kinda how it works in DC when 3 stars take the NSA job. Worked that way for Alexander Haig and Colin Powell...

 

[AROTC-dad]

For those who may not know, LTG McMaster was a key commander at the Battle of 73 Easting in 1991 during the Gulf War. It is widely regarded as the "last great tank battle of the 20th Century."

McMaster led nine Abrams tanks, 12 Bradleys, and 140 soldiers against a much larger force. In 23 minutes, they destroyed roughly 30 enemy tanks, 20 personnel carriers and 30 trucks!

https://taskandpurpose.com/young-captain-mcmaster-commanded-one-epic-tank-battles-history/

 

[Jcleppe]

According to an article posted this morning, the WH is still denying NcMaster is next to leave. Although this administration is like the weather in Hawaii, wait 15 minutes and it will change. I have to agree with Kinnem, if it's not in a Tweet, it's not yet true.

 

[AROTC-dad]

FYI everyone,

So long as this thread remains focused on LTG McMaster's employment status, and achievements, and NOT on politics, or political views, we can keep this thread where it is.

Thanks to all for keeping SAF friendly, inviting and informative!

 

[cb7893]

For those who may not know, LTG McMaster was a key commander at the Battle of 73 Easting in 1991 during the Gulf War. It is widely regarded as the "last great tank battle of the 20th Century."

McMaster led nine Abrams tanks, 12 Bradleys, and 140 soldiers against a much larger force. In 23 minutes, they destroyed roughly 30 enemy tanks, 20 personnel carriers and 30 trucks!

https://taskandpurpose.com/young-captain-mcmaster-commanded-one-epic-tank-battles-history/

When he returned to the US he earned a PhD. His thesis became what is considered one of the definitive critiques of the US' role in the Vietnam War.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dereliction_of_Duty_(book)

The subtitle alone, Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, The Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies that Led to Vietnam, would lead one to believe it was the work of Julian Assange or Edward Snowden or some disgruntled soldier. That book alone could have been a career killer. Courage like his--on the battlefield outside of Basra or inside the Pentagon--is a valuable commodity. If he leaves, he'll be missed.

 

[QA1517]

Eased out with a 4th star on the way and probably a Combatant Command recommendation...kinda how it works in DC when 3 stars take the NSA job. Worked that way for Alexander Haig and Colin Powell...

I read an article a few days back that said Mattis wanted to put him in charge of the modernization of the military, and that if he left his current post it would be for that purpose.

 

[KYparent]

Thanks for leaving this up. I am relatively new to all things West Point so learning about the grads is really interesting to me.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Here is an interesting video with then CAPT McMaster describing the Battle of 73 Easting and the frenetic activity of the event. (Warning - contains graphic battle images).

 

[cb7893]

Eased out with a 4th star on the way and probably a Combatant Command recommendation...kinda how it works in DC when 3 stars take the NSA job. Worked that way for Alexander Haig and Colin Powell...

I read an article a few days back that said Mattis wanted to put him in charge of the modernization of the military, and that if he left his current post it would be for that purpose.

I would like it, but I have to admit I'd be holding my breath waiting to see who his replacement would be.

 

[RGW051]

same topic, different person. This is kinda awkward now..........
http://vmi.edu/news/headlines/2017-2018/tillerson-to-speak-at-commencement.php

 

[AROTC-dad]

same topic, different person. This is kinda awkward now..........
http://vmi.edu/news/headlines/2017-2018/tillerson-to-speak-at-commencement.php

Perhaps his speech at VMI will be more informative and revealing, now that he doesn't have to worry about keeping his job.

 

[kinnem]

same topic, different person. This is kinda awkward now..........
http://vmi.edu/news/headlines/2017-2018/tillerson-to-speak-at-commencement.php

Why in the world would that be awkward? Plenty of former Secretaries of State are keynote speakers at commencement ceremonies. These are high quality people who can continue to have important things to say even though they're no longer "on the job".

 

[RGW051]

I know its typical for these type of appointed senior officials, to pop in at SA’s and SMA’s to speak at various events and symposiums. Perhaps a backup is penciled in, if unforseen circumstances or changes.

 

[RGW051]

same topic, different person. This is kinda awkward now..........
http://vmi.edu/news/headlines/2017-2018/tillerson-to-speak-at-commencement.php

Why in the world would that be awkward? Plenty of former Secretaries of State are keynote speakers at commencement ceremonies. These are high quality people who can continue to have important things to say even though they're no longer "on the job".

agreed. Just pointing out the timing for this very recent departure, not long after he was selected / agreed to speak

 

[CrewDad]

For those who may not know, LTG McMaster was a key commander at the Battle of 73 Easting in 1991 during the Gulf War. It is widely regarded as the "last great tank battle of the 20th Century."

McMaster led nine Abrams tanks, 12 Bradleys, and 140 soldiers against a much larger force. In 23 minutes, they destroyed roughly 30 enemy tanks, 20 personnel carriers and 30 trucks!

https://taskandpurpose.com/young-captain-mcmaster-commanded-one-epic-tank-battles-history/

I love this! Thanks for sharing.

One of my close buddy was 1LT during that Desert Storm campaign with 24th Mechanized Infantry out of Savanah Georgia. He was just out of the Academy 2 years before and still training as a Platoon Leader. He didn’t think he would face the enemy by the barrel so soon.

He was in Bradley. He said it was a Turkey shoot! And it wasn’t pretty for the other guys. After few days or a week in the desert with everyone embracing contact with Republican Guard Armor or something ugly, they made contact with Iraqi’s on foot en masse who were just waiting for them to turn themselves in. They had no capacity to take them POW so they told them to keep walking behind them and drove on to the Desert.

All the close calls were from friendly fires. They lost their fuel truck from friendly fire from another Armor Company firing at them. The truck blew up near his Bradley. They were moving so fast through the Desert friendlies did not always know friendly positions.

That was a good clean war. Some of us thought it ended prematurely still keeping Saddam in power. But Bush Senior saw the future.

 

[AROTC-dad]

All the close calls were from friendly fires.

Given the sand storms and the distances involved between combatants, it is a miracle that this did not happen more often! The M1A1 Abrams is a devastating and horrific (for the enemy) weapons platform which was first produced in......(wait for it)...

.....1978!

 

[CrewDad]

Still devastating. I see why some boys want to go Armor. I hope M1s have Air Conditioning. The Engine is actually Aerospace Jet Engine isn’t it. So initially had trouble with small sand getting inside the turbine cutting away the blade. I hope they made advances in that to contain or keep out particles.