Are today's military leaders actually politicians or do you think we have really principled leaders?

When the first star is worn, the recipient automatically becomes a politician or they are immediately forgotten. That applies with the ending of WWII, we had warriors in the flag ranks back then.

I think that today's leaders are forced to be politicians at some point, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. If they can effectively lead and at the same time shield their commands from politics by dealing with it themselves, then that's perfect.

I will say the best leader I have seen with this was MG Lusk. He is the Adjutant General of the NCNG. I have seen him as a COL in command of my BCT in Iraq. He was the type that you felt comfort that he was in command. He inspired and felt for the soldiers in his command. If you were talking to him you would forget you were talking to a General. He was that personable.