My first Company Commander told me that, “ Command is just a license to go to jail.” I realized pretty quick that luck played a part in having a successful command. Didn’t Napoleon say something about preferring lucky Commanders over talented ones? Ecclesiastes (Solomon) says it best. He said something like, “Vanity, vanity, all is vanity and a chasing after the wind. All your work can mean nothing for you while another takes your place and receives your rewards.” Solomon knew.
Alot of truth there. It's like playing hands of poker. You have to have skill and luck. On any given hand, skill alone won't do.
Most of the division, corps, and higher commanders of World War II would not have survived in today’s environment. They all made mistakes, including as General Officers, but they persevered and became effective commanders.
When I turned over my company in Vietnam, my battalion commander told me: “You can love the Army all you want, it’s never going to love you back.”