November 15, 2012

Generals and Geographic Bachelors

By G. Murphy Donovan
General David Petraeus illuminates two grand military issues at just the right moment: officer corps character and flag officer performance. Petraeus could be the poster child for a clueless Gilbert and Sullivan character too -- "The very model of a modern major-general." Major-general was the highest rank to which an officer might aspire to in the last century. Grade inflation has created the contemporary glut of four stars, including Petraeus.  David Petraeus gloried in wearing every token of service on his chest, including presumably the good conduct ribbon. Or maybe not! The good conduct medal only goes to grunts, not officers. Clearly, the good conduct award should hereafter be a badge of misplaced military expectations. Nonetheless; the US Army, West Point, and officers like Petraeus continue to pay lip service to traditional military values and ethics like "duty, honor, and country." The second imperative seems to have been honored in breach by the former ISAF commander....(Read Full Article)