Initial Officer Selection

[JMA]

I'd have to disagree with that having served in embassies in Africa and Europe and observed just who ends up at a working post and who ends up in say Frankfurt or Paris. Never used to have much to do with an officer's background nor education, but as of late the Ambassador can pick and choose not only his State staff, but deny potential "do gooders" which would infect his country team (disagree with the Amb's logic and lack of background at post).

You are correct in the context of your service but perhaps not in the context of Initial Officer Selection. I would dearly like to know what qualifications these Ambassadors have and on what basis they are appointed. Would love to hear more about the intrigue and doings and screwings in these Embassies

According to our folks the German officers and NCOs are sick of their passive roles in Afghanistan. Their officer training rivals any of the West but yet are not employed to use it. The German police certainly are not restricted to daylight ops and ask first before you shoot only when accompanied by an American medivac helo. Going through Rein Main filled with H&Ks is impressive !

They want to be careful. If they show interest in or enthusiasm for any form of 'closing with and killing the enemy' their careers may well come to a grinding halt.

Wasn't there a quote attributed to David Hackworth (or maybe Charlie Beckwith) about (how mad the US system had become) where an officer had been marked down for being too enthusiastic?

Edit: It was Hackworth and he quoted a report : “Lieutenant Col. Gibson has strong emotional feelings and frequently expressed his opinion that a soldier’s duty is to fight. This attitude limits his value to the service, his desire for self improvement, and adversely affects his subordinates.”

[Stan]

I would dearly like to know what qualifications these Ambassadors have and on what basis they are appointed.

PM sent

Be careful what you wish for !

[JMA]

PM sent

Be careful what you wish for !

Now tell Fuchs its clowns like these who help start the wars soldiers die in.