stifle innovation (which might be harmful to their world vision) by simply sitting tight. They detest initiative in subordinates as potentially disruptive behavior.

They may contribute nothing to discussion or debate but they have fearsome negative power to stifle those things and they use it -- not least by coming down on underlings who have the temerity to try. Recall the discussion here on Officers writing for publication and the potential adverse impacts on careers by annoying the anointed...

They're dangerous and they exist in broadly equal numbers to the other three types combined. The system encourages their proliferation...

Want changes in the Army? You can't have it and they are a large part of the reason why...