A General Discovers Candor Kills Career (John Riggs)

Soldiers for The Truth ^ | 07.05.2005 | By Philip A. Quigley

[Prost1]

"But there are equally poignant accounts of deceit and betrayal right here at home. Just ask retired Maj. Gen. John Riggs....

The trouble started in January 2004 when Riggs told The Baltimore Sun that the Army needed at least 10,000 more soldiers because it was so seriously overstretched with its current policing missions in Iraq and Afghanistan....

And Riggs did not help himself any when, in February 2004, he vigorously defended the proposed RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program – later canceled by Rumsfeld – before the Association of the U.S. Army."

Read more at the link:

[Prost1]

Sound like a General who thought he was "Above the Law" or "Impervious to Authority"

[nina0113]

He should have asked MacArthur.

[trebb]

Yep - one only needs to ask what they think this "general" would have done if some NCO or junior officer went out on a public tirade against his decisons. Too many of the brass overuse the RHIP deal and seem to forget that Rank also Hath its Responsibilities.

[Blueflag]

Whenever an organization is titled "XXXXXXX for the truth" I always look for the agenda and the spin first, and don't generally try to find truth there.

Kinda like "People for the American Way" aren't about the "American Way"

Or the "Peoples' Republic of XXXX" is always about the socialists in power, not the people.

[stylin19a]

When you ask a general officer 'What do you think?' you should be able to answer candidly," Riggs continued. "I think [that Rumsfeld has] politicized the general officer corps by making the personnel selections for everyone."

Hey General...you don't get to answer "What do you think ?" in public.

[Prost1]

The Baltimore Sun Article is not available.

This is a rehash of that article. It points out the important issues.

Riggs went against authority in support of the Commache after it had been decided to cancel the program.

Insubordination!

[wideawake]

"No, Gen. Riggs! I said you should have esprit de corps, not esprit de whore!"

[pepsionice]

There may have been a decent reason to keep the Commache program alive...but someone at the top has to make the decision and then we all have to live with it. If we remember the Sgt York...the weapon that should have been built...but never was. It was a simple concept that people kept adding onto, and eventually...it failed test after test. Someone had to make the decision...and then it was finished.

I won't say that Riggs had an agenda...he might have believed in the system so much...that he could not be even-handed about the project. The thing is...someone has to stand at the top and make decisions...and until they resign or lose the confidence of the president...things will continue as they are. A military leader must accept such.

[Para-Ord.45]

That site is dedicated to that hack, Hackworth,

enough said !?

[attiladhun2]

Yeah, or maybe a nice corporate position was actually riding on his advocacy of the weapons system.

[Michael.SF.]

His demotion has cost him between $10,000-15,000 a year in pension benefits.

So what is the pension for a Two Star General with 39 years of service? 90k, 100K, 120K?

This guy is going to do OK on any of those amounts.

[Michael.SF.]

His demotion has cost him between $10,000-15,000 a year in pension benefits.

So what is the pension for a Two Star General with 39 years of service? 90k, 100K, 120K?

This guy is going to do OK on any of those amounts.

[mosaicwolf]

The fact that Flag Officers can no longer be candid with their assessments is BS. The way it works is simple. You state your position to your superior, (Read SECDEF) he listens, then says, "I hear you but we are going to do it my way". Then you have three options and three options only - resign, retire, or salute and execute. One thing is certain, in the military, a senior officer or any officer for that matter, never disagrees in public. All these retired Flag Officers whining in public just shows the true nature of their metal - self centered, egotistical, cry babies.

[Gamecock]

$102,138 before taxes.

[robowombat]

All should read the full article. In it readers will note the LTG Riggs led the charge for the Ah-66 Comanche. The specific comment is " Riggs did not help himself any when, in February 2004, he vigorously defended the proposed RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program – later canceled by Rumsfeld – before the Association of the U.S. Army."

Actually it went a bit further. Riggs was considered to have been heavily involved in orchestrating a behind the scenes full court press to continue the Comanche. A lot of contractor bucks were on the line as well as the interests of the heavy force fraternity within the Army. It is hard now with the real revolving door between uniformed service and taking an executive position with a contractor that has become the norm for many GO's to know where the perceived interest of the service as interpreted by the faction and branch one belongs to ends and where handshake promises to contractors to be redeemed after retirement begins. Suffice to say those around the SECDEF thought his partisanship for the Comanche was crossing more than one boundary.

The results were his relief was managed in a Machiavellian fashion that normally is only reserved for lesser fry who have annoyed the great or stepped in merde. I suppose he does have blood in his eye for Rumsfeld. He got his ticket to corporate executive positions shredded. After being sacked and demoted it was a clear signal to any company dealing with the Pentagon to steer wide of Riggs.

This dismal little tale also illustrates why the template the MSM are using on the Rumsfeld story is cr*p. There are a number of injured and angry factions that have lost out in the bureaucratic turf battles inside the beltway over the last few years these people have concrete material reasons for nursing a grudge against those who defeated them. Doe it have much to do with Iraq or the GWOT. No.

Also in passing this article solicits a hostile comment from LTG Garner. While Amb Bremmer may be remembered as an obnoxious egomaniac, Garner who he replaced is remembered as completely ineffectual and clueless.

Reporters are supposed to be hard boiled cynics. It would be nice if that fairytale were a little true so that they might exercise a bit of skepticism at the motivations of those who detest Rumsfeld.

[Michael.SF.]

Thank you.

[Prost1]

Great observations and comments.

And equally important is that this background information is ignored by the "Drive by Media"!

They are no longer the 4th estate, but the 1st Estate of Sedition!

[antiRepublicrat]

If we remember the Sgt York...the weapon that should have been built...but never was.

I've seen the graveyard. It was bad execution from the beginning, starting with the decision to use an M48 tank chassis, which couldn't keep up with the M1.

[SuziQ]

Hmmm. Who started "Soldiers for the Truth", and is funding the group? That usually gives a good indication of exactly from where the group is coming.

[xarmydog]

Plus free medical,PX privileges,and a few other add ons that can make for a comfortable retirement.