I knew a number of fast burners during my career. Some were competent and did very well and some were promoted too far ahead of their experience and maturity levels. For one it was a problem of never knowing how to make a reasoned decision under pressure and he was relieved of duty. For two others, both promoted to lieutenant colonel 4-5 years below the zone, the pressure of command at a point when they should have still been senior captains or junior majors led them to recurring and spiralling alcoholism. One found himself involved in a minor scandal which promised to tube his career so he killed himself. Too many of these types would be much better off if they made the rank on time because they really do believe all of that sunshine that is pumped up their skirts.
My wife reminded me today about him - and I realized he was a much better guy than I even remembered. I now regret my post saying he might have believed his own OPRs. As I look back, he was perhaps one of the kindest men I knew.
We lived a few doors down from each other when we both were at the Pentagon about 10 years ago. When it snowed in N. Virginia one February, Tom came over to my house to help me shovel.
He took my young daughters camping once.
My wife knew his wife better than I knew Tom, but I still really liked him. He made fun of me when I told I was going back to fly and the plane they gave me was the C-21 (the Learjet 35), and then I ribbed him back that it was in Germany.
I have profound sadness in my heart now that those memories have suddenly rushed back. I guess I put them in the back of my mind.
It is a tragic loss, and I wish his wife and children God's grace and peace.