[Axhandle]

"Rounding out" is generally meant that someone is given the necessary professional education and experience to be fully prepared for the next level of command. This, in obvious, self-evident terms is a good thing. Also, during this process, the individuals are able to be observed and evaluated, ensuring that they not only have the professional education and experience, but also sufficient leadership potential.

[quadrant]

A self-evident proposition is one the opposite of which is impossible to imagine.
It is possible to imagine an Army where preparation for the next level of responsibility - that is, career development - is relegated to second place behind successful prosecution of a war.
Max Boot's SAVAGE WARS OF PEACE relates that in June, 1966, then Col Harold Moore's tour as a commander in the 1st Cav was scheduled to end while his troops were engaged in combat. He refused to relinquish command and was allowed to hold onto his billet but only for an additional ten days.
A month later his inexperienced successor blundered into a battle - a mistake that Moore would have avoided - that cost the lives of twenty-five soldiers.
It must be of great comfort to the families of the dead to know that Moore's successor was being prepared for his next level of command and his leadership potential was being evaluated.
Is the Army's personnel system designed to serve the needs of the troops in the field or are they props to be rotated around to serve the career development of the officer corps?