Obama to pick first female four-star commander

Politico ^ | March 18, 2016 | Austin Wright and Connor O'Brien

[C19fan]

President Barack Obama plans to nominate Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson to be the head of U.S. Northern Command — which would make her the first female combatant commander, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced Friday. Robinson is now the head of Pacific Air Forces. If confirmed by the Senate, she would replace Adm. Bill Gortney, who’s been in the post since 2014.

[Night Hides Not]

Except women are pushed forward and most of them are promoted earlier than they normally should be and with less experience and ability than the men...

at least that’s how it has been in the USAF...

I was at Hahn AB in 1977-78 when the AF installed the first woman Base Commander (sorry, her name escapes me at the moment). It was a good posting, it's really hard to screw up at being a Base Cdr, who is subordinate in the chain of command to the Wing Commander, usually a hot shot fighter jock.

Like I said, she appeared to be competent, but there were awkward moments during Tac Evals. She was unaware of the protocol that was followed for a year. Although I was merely an Army LT, I was called to the "Eagles Nest" during NBC warfare exercise inputs.

I earned the WC's trust during my first trip, as I offered a different recommendation from his Disaster Preparedness officer. Simply put, he overreacted with his recommendation, and I offered a less drastic recommendation, i.e. a posture that did not require protective gear.

Thirty minutes later, he made it in no uncertain terms that I would be called in on every future input. And that's the way it was until I was kicked up to Battalion HQ at Spangdahlem in the spring of '79.

Unfortunately, none of the new BC's staff alerted her to that. When she suggested to the WC that they had their own "Disaster Preparedness Officer", her suggestion was met with no enthusiasm...lol.

BTW, the "extra duty" of unit NBC officer paid off in spades. It got me away from a toxic relationship with my second Battery Commander at Hahn, and a new start at Battalion staff. I also scored a week to the NATO school...in Oberammergau.

[DesertRhino]

“There is a core of individuals around here who can’t accept that a woman might rise on merit. “

No, I don’t want a woman leading a military unit. But skip that. Is it really so Neanderthal of me to expect the head of all air forces in the pacific to be an actual PILOT???

[Tennessee Nana]

Were you at Oberammergau the year the Passion Play was performed...the every 10 years one ???

[Tennessee Nana]

check out post #8

shes got 5 stars on her collar...

[BlueNgold]

I’m going to suggest you recount.

She’s wearing 4.

Also, just for reference, 5 star insignia is a circle of stars, not a line.

[golux]

[Night Hides Not]

Were you at Oberammergau the year the Passion Play was performed...the every 10 years one ???

No, I was there in 1979. If I had a bucket list, going to the PP would be on the list. Hopefully, I can hang in until 2020...I'll be 66 then, and it's the year my youngest son graduates from HS.

O/T, becoming a dad at 48 (third child) is not something I entirely recommend. Don't get me wrong, I love my son, but raising kids is meant for more youthful parents.

[Tennessee Nana]

My Dad was 40 when I was born, Mom was 37..

My brother is 2 years younger than me..

It was more like being around grandparents than parents...

My Dad was 13 before he got to ride in a car...

:)

[Organic Panic]

Certainly she’s made her way up the ranks through hard work and dedication and NOT AA policies of the Obamanation.

[Organic Panic]

More because it's FR. There is a core of individuals around here who can't accept that a woman might rise on merit.

Our experience, guided by Obama's MO, has shown us time and time again that he promotes the "first" over the "best."

[stormer]

E3 and E8 pilot.

[rollo tomasi]

Not a pilot, in fact first non-pilot promoted to that position. Her 900hrs of flight time was as a passenger in aircraft used for battle management.

Well educated though.

[stormer]

I guess the question then is do you need to know how to steer a airplane in order to prepare an Air Force for war?

[hoagy62]

Actually, she isn’t a lez.

She’s married to a retired AF General..a MAN.

They had a daughter who was training to be a an AF pilot, but her plane went down and she was killed.

I can have a bit more respect for her now.

[rollo tomasi]

Well in the past they promoted pilots due to the fact that the Generals (Who were actual pilots) could understand the psyche/concerns using their hands on experience rather than just textbooks, computer simulations and "theories". Also the morale/trust/respect factor of the pilots being commanded, i.e. "what is this non-pilot giving me orders trying to prove/justify/tactical plans". Go up against a tough opponent and the fighting/tactics are relegated "on the fly".

Time will only tell when the US actually goes up against a competent opponent who shrinks the gap of the superior firepower we have. Iraq under sanctions was a turkey shoot and afghan/Taliban were softer.

[manc]

If she is qualified and form what you have told me she is then I have no problem with her. Thanks for the information, and have a nice Easter.

[BanardBrys22]

If he picked her, then its pretty much a given.

[Tom54]

this is more of O’s complete PC/communist/Islamic bullshi#. We can’t wait until the next elections to correct all the messes he has made!!!