What do YOU think of the President pushing Congress to reduce 3, 2, 1 Star Generals by 25%?

I couldn't agree with you more, COL Jean (John) F. B.. Also, the intellectual capital of the combined services (in the form of general officers) has been virtually decimated over the past seven+ years. The reasons for their departure has been reviewed ad nauseam, so I won't reflect on that and start another political bash fest. However, the knee-jerk opinions/reactions need to be held in check in order that we keep the best and the brightest, in addition to the reasons you've already so eloquently stated. SPC Terry Martin

Amen, doesn't the Military look at "Span of Control/Command" when it comes to rank structure and and down the ladder?

SPC Terry Martin - Yes, it does, however, these days, it is very difficult to equate span of control with the level of supervision/rank needed. Supervision of a squad (10-11) of Infantrymen (or, women, now) is hard to equate to supervision of 10-11 data processors, intelligence analysts, etc., etc. And that simply compounds as the units get larger and larger, although it is hard to argue that a company should be commanded by a CPT, a battalion by a LTC, a brigade by a COL, a division by a MG, and a corps by a LTG. Much harder to discern what rank people in staff positions should be and, as stated previously, much of that decision is made by politics (comparisons between services and allied nations, at what level they need to interact, etc.).

Having said that, it would seem to make sense that, if the military has a force reduction of 25-40%, there should be a similar reduction in the GO ranks, although, if one looks at where the majority of GOs are assigned, they are not assigned with troops. Most are in staff jobs and, those job probably did not go away. That does not, however, mean that the positions could not be reduced in the rank authorized for them.

The Generals need to be left alone they have the knowledge and experience to fight and win wars if the Politicians would let them. Just take a look at the most recent conflicts Politicians have not done so well trying to run the battles. I would rather follow or be ordered to battle by a General Officer than any Politician alive. A tell tale sign is look at the BIO of a General Officer and then compare it to a Politician the General Officer would be my choice hands down!

I remember we had a one star General visit our shop when I was stationed in Frankfurt Germany. Two weeks prior to his visit we cleaned the place daily on every shift. You could literally eat off the floor. When he arrived he kicked out the senior NCO's and all Officers and meet with the troops only. The guy was down to earth and asked us questions about the operation.

What impressed me mostly about him was the fact that he noticed how cleaned the shop was and he told us he wasn't to happy about it. Although he said to us he was going to address that with our Commander and Senior NCO's. Come to find out later they told us he chewed them out and said to them how and the heck any work was getting done around here with the place so clean.

We need the General Officer's not less of them.

Peace!

My guess is that the President has a few people in mind for RIF before he leaves office.

Exactly, disagree or speak out and you are GONE!

SPC Martin The number of Gemerals should be determined by the personnel numbers. But leave it to Obama a 1LT will be in charge soon.

Funny how they do massive cuts and the hindsight "may" kick in?

Amen!