The Night of the Generals

[SWJED]

April 2007 edition of Vanity Fair - The Night of the Generals by David Margolick.

The six retired generals who stepped forward last spring to publicly attack Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's handling of the Iraq war had to overcome a culture of reticence based on civilian control of the military. But while each man acted separately, all shared one experience: a growing outrage over the administration's incompetence, leading some of the nation's finest soldiers to risk their reputations and cross a time-honored line.

By late 2001, briefing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was familiar territory for Lieutenant General Greg Newbold. As director of operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Newbold, a three-star in the Marines, had done it many times since Rumsfeld had arrived at the Pentagon earlier in the year, and had come to know the routine: the constant interruptions, the theatrics, the condescension. But, according to Newbold, there was something different, and alarming, about one particular briefing around that time: the topic. It was about going to war with Iraq...

Long article at the link...

[SWJED]

5 March Washington Post - At the Pentagon, Gates Seen as Liberator by Tom Ricks.

Robert M. Gates is finding Donald H. Rumsfeld an easy act to follow, as the new defense secretary wins hearts and minds throughout Washington and overseas.

"Stylistically, it's night and day," said Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee. With Gates's modest manner, Udall said, "He's the anti-Rumsfeld."

At the Pentagon, where Gates has been greeted as a liberator, "you can already feel the stability," said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles F. Wald, formerly the deputy U.S. commander in Europe. He said he considers the appointment of Gates to be the Bush administration's best move in years.

At the same time, Gates has shown that he can act decisively, as when he fired Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey on Friday over the handling of the growing patient-care scandal at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Expressing disappointment, Gates said that "the problems at Walter Reed appear to be problems of leadership."

Former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft urged caution on Gates's honeymoon. "How much of it is Bob Gates as a personality, manager and leader, and how much of it is Rumsfeld being gone, is hard to say," said Scowcroft, who has known Gates for 30 years. "Rumsfeld was a difficult man to work for."...

More at the link.

[120mm]

I cringe whenever the press gives kudos to "Generals". With a few exceptions, I have found "Generals" to be very competent at advancing their own careers, with little to offer in terms of leadership and/or military competence.

Having said that, I personally know some very good leaders who happen to be Generals.

[SWJED]

I found this a very good read - the article gives background on each of the generals and a dissenting view by Richard Kohl who maintains that the retired generals violated the traditions of civilian control of the military.

The six generals are LtGen Greg Newbold (USMC), MG Paul Eaton (USA), MG John Batiste (USA), LTG John Riggs (USA), MG Charles Swannack Jr. (USA) and LtGen Paul Van Riper (USMC).

The 16 page (printed) article provides a brief background on each of the General's careers, some background on their thoughts while on active duty (excepting Van Riper) concerning the lead-in and the war in Iraq, reasoning behind their decision (or in one case another's decision) to retire, what prompted them to speak out and any regrets they may have in doing so.

Of particular interest were some of the parallels the article drew concerning the wars in Iraq and Vietnam. The oldest of the group, Van Riper, was the only one with Vietnam (two-tour) experience. Still, the legacy of the earlier war seemed to influence much of their opinions on Iraq.

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld plays heavily in the article to include his styles of management and leadership.

Without passing judgment - I recommend this as a must read. I will say this though - I'm glad I did not have to "walk a mile" in their shoes. The decision to go or not to go public in dissent, both on active duty and in retirement, was not a decision these men took lightly.

[120mm]

I only know OF Batiste and Van Riper, and what I heard of them is generally good.

My opinion, of course, is colored by what "Generals" could've done post OIF I to improve the situation in Iraq, but failed to do, for whatever reason. I've always thought that a "Commander" who needed guidance from higher in order to recognize and execute what needs to be done is not a good "Commander", and we had a bunch of those....

[Smitten Eagle]

I only know OF Batiste and Van Riper, and what I heard of them is generally good.

My opinion, of course, is colored by what "Generals" could've done post OIF I to improve the situation in Iraq, but failed to do, for whatever reason. I've always thought that a "Commander" who needed guidance from higher in order to recognize and execute what needs to be done is not a good "Commander", and we had a bunch of those....

Actually, LtGen Newbold's thoughts on the planning for OIF I are aired in Cobra II. He had some significant reservations and regrets not having aired them with enough volume during the planning phases. As such, OIF I began years before March 2003 when the planning for it began.

Cobra II also documents the lack of intent provided by Rumsfeld and the other political appointees on Phase IV operations in IZ. Yes, you want "commanders" who can make it happen when intelligence is hazy, and with limited intent. But planning Phase IV on the fly is a bit ridiculous.

At the same time, I am also always leary when the press starts citing "generals" as a monolithic group, as if there is no factionalism and as if there is a single, correct military opinion held by this cohort of professional. Hogwash.