Posted on 12/19/2015 6:39:00 AM PST by Timber Rattler
SOCOM not SPECOM...
Neither would MacAuthur, from Wiki
A series of embarrassing reverses in the Battle of Buna-Gona led to outspoken criticism of the American troops by the Australians. MacArthur then ordered Lieutenant General Robert L. Eichelberger to assume command of the Americans, and "take Buna, or not come back alive."
F#ck’em; the enemy is not going to throw insults and harsh language at these pussies, the enemy is going to throw bombs, bullets, and bayonets.
If they can’t take a little tough language without getting girly and crying, how are they going to take a bayonet in the guts and keep on killing?
The job of the American Military is to blow sh#t up, kill people, and break things; perhaps this staff would be better off in social work where FEEEELINGS are the most important part of the job..
It doesn't matter if he hurt anyone's feelings, or humiliated anyone before their peers, or anything politically incorrect of that nature.
This is the military, not a social worker's weekend retreat.
It is looking possibly unhinged and unfit for command in front of ranking Allied brass that is the problem.
Typically someone who has to shout and say crazy stuff to get the attention he wants from his subordinates is over his head, and might do better in another role.
Polk, yes. I like to say I was a “victim” of Southern Inhospitality!
:-)
Gosh, this fighting and killing and dying business sure is hard.
In November 1967 a Drill Instructor ordered me into his hooch; he instructed me to pick up two 3 pound coffee cans filled with concrete with an iron bar cemented between them.
I was instructed to stand at attention with the weights over head, he then proceeded to beat the living crap out of me while explaining why a Marine should never break formation, I NEVER BROKE FORMATION AGAIN.
He didn’t leave any bruises (at least that I could see), and it was a learning experience I took to heart and never forgot, it worked for me.
That Drill Instructor made me a Marine.
I have been at that podium as a CENTCOM briefer many years ago in different times. My first J2 briefing experience resulted in verbal abuse of a sexually vulgar nature from a new USAF 2 star who was showing off his fighter pilot creds... but wth, you just ask if there are any further questions and keep pushing the button for the next slide.
Those briefers or analysts must be some real special snowflakes to go to the IG
I was deeply involved in Joint and Combined activities from 1983 to the end of my active duty career in 1999. Most of it was at the technical and mid-level leadership level; my final assignment was to a formal Joint billet at USSTRATCOM.
After briefing dozens of very senior leaders, and working routinely with their deputies, and conveying information to hundreds of other senior officers, I can say blowups and staff chewings-out were rare. When they did happen, no recipient wanted to file complaints with the IG - that I know of.
It’s astonishing to learn that someone did so.
Over any given span of time, the yellers and screamers among the flag rankers tended to be the least effective. Staffers may have taken tirades (some deserved, some not) stoically, but they held greater respect for senior officers who didn’t fuss and kept their cool.
US Army officers were on average more explosive than their counterparts in USN or USAF.
Not unless you're Hillary Clinton, Moochelle, or some other leftist progressive princess (of either sex).
The left specializes in "do as I say, not as I do."
I was thinking the same thing.
Is his name Mulholland or Mulhulland? I suppose it is too much to ask for this WaPo writer to proofread.
YES!
someone who has to shout and say crazy stuff
Perhaps, maybe...not always.
Once had a Battalion Commander (RVN), a most impressive individual on many levels, who I admired greatly, dress me down. Big time.
I survived.
They would have needed a Division of IG types and another Division of clerks for all the paper!
No one would do anything!
Sounds like 0bamas kind of army.
Re: Admiral McRaven
Many have seen his Commencement address, but worth repeating!
Looks like the precious snowflakes form the universities have now polluted the military. Can't take a simple butt chewing.
If I was a serving senior officer I would ensure these two never end up on my staff.
Sgt/Major King USAEUR Hqs Frankfurt 1964 ripped me for about 15 Minutes about my tailored fatigues, after that if I saw him I went in the other direction.
I had the same problem in 1966, while stationed in Germany. I had my fatigues tailored to the Field Manual Rules. I had a copy with me during the Battalion Inspection. Went on to win the “Sharpest Troop Award”, a Three Day Pass.
I would spend plenty of time in the Day Room, reading the Manuals to challenge them at the their own game. “Spit & Polish”, breaking “Starch”, was the rule at Division Headquarters.
Now during Basic, I was dressed down, big time. The DI finally broke me, when he said, “Damn it Jackson, you make Beetle Bailey look like West Point.” That hurt more than cleaning the grease trap at the mess hall. I then learned to beat them, you had to do it, their way. Thank you, Field Manuals!
Really .. I too believe that the military’s main goal is: TO KILL PEOPLE AND BREAK THINGS.
If we have to cow-tow to perfumed princesses .. we’re in worse trouble than I thought.
But .. you have to remember who the CIC is .. and how he views the military. To him, they are not warriors, they are place-holders until he’s out of office.
Wearing a military uniform does not give you a license to be a raving lunatic.
Screaming and cursing at, humiliating, and threatening your subordinates is not "leadership."
Patton wasn't a raving lunatic, that's a myth.
One of the (few) things the Army has done right the past several years has been to stamp out "toxic leadership." That's a good thing.
Senior leaders are supposed to be competent, intelligent, and respected. They're supposed to be the adults. Someone to look up to. A Mentor. A steady rock. Not an emotionally unstable moron.
For too long the acceptable paradigm of military leadership has been screaming and yelling. It's destructive and corrosive.
I've worked for several officers like this, and know about many more. These "screamers" are almost always incompetent fools that don't have any leadership or management skills. They use screaming, cursing, and intimidation to cover up their incompetence.
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