I don’t wanna agree with that chudlord about anything but they do need to be slashed. It’s just a revolving door between the pentagon and arms makers. That general staff is like a tumor growing off the main cancer of the military industrial complex
and that makes me think of the nonsense of "privatizing" government functions. As we know, business must make a profit and a disproportionate amount of the profit goes to the top. If we let Bezos buy the USPS, for example, we can be sure that he will definitely run it differently, but he will also be the biggest beneficiary. Banks and insurance that are really only big pools of money should not be for profit...the 1% gets the benefit and those who need the services get clipped. We the people have been WAY oversold on "the free market is best"
At the request of the unions, I believe. Workers were frustrated at the slothlike pace of resolving contract issues and negotiating contracts. The feeling was the NLRB was more efficient.
Damn. I just can’t believe anyone paying attention cant see they are not slashing the ranks of generals to serve our democracy. They are cleansing the military of any top level opposition to Trump. He’s almost succeeded in getting the SCOTUS. With the military in this pocket, along with DOJ…think on that, And think about who they put in charge of the DOD, a department of 3.4 million employees and the world’s most dangerous arsenal. Think about that. Just as they purged and gutted agencies of any expertise, experience, and knowledge. They did so to get rid of pesky regulations that in their sick minds hinder capitalism.
From my day in the military promotions worked downhill. Advancement happed when leadership rolls opened up. Fewer of those positions means less opportunity. An army full of the E-4 mafia cannot stand.
Nor can a fighting force consist of all ivory tower types.
In my military experience, ironically as an E-4 (MM3), promotions seldom went to the most competent. Less flag officers less opportunity for the Peter Principle to reign supreme.
Are there any statistics available on the total number of 4 star and other general officers since the end of the Cold War and the adjustments that were done with the Clinton administration in the 1990's?
It would be interesting to compare the size of the general officer corps to the overall size of the services they are leading.
Now that you point it out. We do revere our military brass in a way that we cannot logically articulate. The GIs that served, have earned respect, but the generals in what is a bloated, top-heavy organization? Thanks for pointing that out.
It is ironic that most unqualified Secretary of Defense of my lifetime is making personnel decisions although there may be good reason for it. His rationale of weeding out left leaning leaders is illogical, want to weed out the inept and the ineffective.
How can anyone buy the notion they are reducing the numbers of generals for efficiency purposes or for any reason helpful to democracy or our Republic? The purge of 20% of the generals will not be random. They will leave in place, or replace positions with, Trump loyalists. Once they have purified the higher ranks of the military….they are set. Why would I believe this? Because these are not normal times in this country. But this has happened elsewhere in the world in many places. Look who is leading the DOD, a department of 3.4 million employees. Nuff said.
"CEOs of the military" is a good analogy but honestly I think the Steve Jobs types are the exception rather than the rule - saying bold quotable things but mostly taking credit for the work of others, and maximizing the societal privileges of being a white man. Plus, for good measure, Jobs wore a uniform and got a huge amount of unearned respect in both life and death 🙃
I appreciate how you challenge my assumptions. I often reflexively disagree with you, but you seriously make me question myself. Thank you
Thanks for trusting me enough not to dismiss it outright!
But, does he change your mind?
Often
I don’t wanna agree with that chudlord about anything but they do need to be slashed. It’s just a revolving door between the pentagon and arms makers. That general staff is like a tumor growing off the main cancer of the military industrial complex
Thank you again for taking on the verities of an institution! (and with a well written piece that makes me laugh)
Thanks Mary hope you’re doing well!
I think a good start would be to start prosecuting the war criminals in our military.
After we get rid of them, we can see where we are at.
Retiree Marks is doing quite well judging from what we see behind him as he speaks.
He’s probably making 7 figures. I’ll never understand the sympathy for these guys. They’ll be just fine!
and that makes me think of the nonsense of "privatizing" government functions. As we know, business must make a profit and a disproportionate amount of the profit goes to the top. If we let Bezos buy the USPS, for example, we can be sure that he will definitely run it differently, but he will also be the biggest beneficiary. Banks and insurance that are really only big pools of money should not be for profit...the 1% gets the benefit and those who need the services get clipped. We the people have been WAY oversold on "the free market is best"
“way oversold”. Way true!
Can the USPS be sold? I don't think it can be sold outright. It is in the constitution.
Good question. There was a big change in status when the US Post Office became the US Postal Service
At the request of the unions, I believe. Workers were frustrated at the slothlike pace of resolving contract issues and negotiating contracts. The feeling was the NLRB was more efficient.
It’s okay just to say the administration is doing something right.
Damn. I just can’t believe anyone paying attention cant see they are not slashing the ranks of generals to serve our democracy. They are cleansing the military of any top level opposition to Trump. He’s almost succeeded in getting the SCOTUS. With the military in this pocket, along with DOJ…think on that, And think about who they put in charge of the DOD, a department of 3.4 million employees and the world’s most dangerous arsenal. Think about that. Just as they purged and gutted agencies of any expertise, experience, and knowledge. They did so to get rid of pesky regulations that in their sick minds hinder capitalism.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day" :)
From my day in the military promotions worked downhill. Advancement happed when leadership rolls opened up. Fewer of those positions means less opportunity. An army full of the E-4 mafia cannot stand.
Nor can a fighting force consist of all ivory tower types.
In my military experience, ironically as an E-4 (MM3), promotions seldom went to the most competent. Less flag officers less opportunity for the Peter Principle to reign supreme.
Oh yeah. Play the game right and the new boot to the command is now sergeant of the guard lol.
Yes, because getting rid of 20% of flag officers means a Petty Officer 3rd class will be in charge of a Carrier group. Lol indeed.
Are there any statistics available on the total number of 4 star and other general officers since the end of the Cold War and the adjustments that were done with the Clinton administration in the 1990's?
It would be interesting to compare the size of the general officer corps to the overall size of the services they are leading.
Now that you point it out. We do revere our military brass in a way that we cannot logically articulate. The GIs that served, have earned respect, but the generals in what is a bloated, top-heavy organization? Thanks for pointing that out.
It is ironic that most unqualified Secretary of Defense of my lifetime is making personnel decisions although there may be good reason for it. His rationale of weeding out left leaning leaders is illogical, want to weed out the inept and the ineffective.
Or is he weeding out neocons?
How can anyone buy the notion they are reducing the numbers of generals for efficiency purposes or for any reason helpful to democracy or our Republic? The purge of 20% of the generals will not be random. They will leave in place, or replace positions with, Trump loyalists. Once they have purified the higher ranks of the military….they are set. Why would I believe this? Because these are not normal times in this country. But this has happened elsewhere in the world in many places. Look who is leading the DOD, a department of 3.4 million employees. Nuff said.
"CEOs of the military" is a good analogy but honestly I think the Steve Jobs types are the exception rather than the rule - saying bold quotable things but mostly taking credit for the work of others, and maximizing the societal privileges of being a white man. Plus, for good measure, Jobs wore a uniform and got a huge amount of unearned respect in both life and death 🙃
*are not the exception
100%, thank you for saying this