Failure in Generalship
Tom Ricks writes this morning in the Washington Post about a Army Lieutenant Colonel who has written a blistering attack on the Generals in our military in Armed Forces Journal.
Lt. Col. Paul Yingling, who served in Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, makes the argument that the Army's senior generals have failed by a) focusing their planning on conventional maneuver warfare, b) not preparing their troops for what they really have to face, and c) not warning either the President or the public what the realities are in terms of what will actually be required for victory in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The discussion on the Small Wars Journal discussion board so far is focused on what the impact is likely to be on LTC Yingling's career. I'm keeping an eye out, because I'm curious what the assessment is of the professionals on this question. Should be interesting.
From the Post:
Yingling said he decided to write the article after attending Purple Heart and deployment ceremonies for Army soldiers. "I find it hard to look them in the eye," he said in an interview. "Our generals are not worthy of their soldiers."
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posted 08/11/2008
So, a large number of people have written and commented in the blog asking when the next chapter will be. The answer is, very very soon. Sometimes real life gets in the way, but I think I'm back on track schedule wise.
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I don't know why it is, but for some reason at a particular point in a military career the individual becomes less focused on the profession and more focused on maintaining the institution and job. (This isn't unique to the officer corps either. Careerism is alive and well in the NCO Corps too.) This focus on career and institutionalism stifles innovation and creativity from subordinates. LTC Yingling is absolutely correct when he states that general/flag level officers must be held accountable for their actions. His statement that a private is held more accountable than a general officer is particularly accurate. (Especially in light of what happened at Abu Ghraib. It is still mind boggling that the troops were punished, but not the leadership.) I wish the man well. The article may be a career killer for him, but it does need to be said. It should be mailed to every member of Congress.
What hurts when it happens to the military is that the stakes are so much higher -- and its the young men and women at the tip of the spear who suffer for those decisions.
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