Didn't know this:
First, most Americans do not realize that the competitive promotion board system for our military, as defined by law, ends after two-star selection. All three and four-star officers are thus political appointees — in every sense. No selection board convenes to nominate them to the Secretary, President, or Congress.
My father, who enlisted in the Army Air Force before Dubya Duya Two, told me about that winnowing. All of the generals who actually lead the fight through WWII where majors and light colonels in 1939. From what dad said about the generals in charge then, that was a really good thing.
ReplyDeleteThe mobilization of the National Guard in 1940 afforded the chance to see who should be promoted to replace the relics who were shown the door. It worked wonders.
The one exception that I can think of was MacArthur -- he retired as a flag officer before WWII started, and was brought back onto active duty. Then again, he was already on station in the Philippines for that unpleasantness.
We need that again.
And as for the senior flag officer selection process ... ... yeah, that's been a problem for a long time. Even the boards for brigadier and major general are political.
ReplyDeleteThat's why you see some real losers wearing stars ... ... it ain't what you know, it's who know. Or what tribe you belong to.
That sounds like a good reason to do away with 3-star and 4-star ranks.
ReplyDeleteOr cut the number of flag officer billets.
DeleteALL of them. We have way too many generals and admirals now.