Michelle Howard becomes Navy's first female four-star admiral

CNN ^ | 7/2/14 | CNN Staff

[ghost of stonewall jackson]

The U.S. Navy has promoted Vice Adm. Michelle Howard to admiral, making her the first female four-star officer in the Navy's 236-year-history, the White House said Tuesday.

Howard, who was the first African-American woman to command a Navy ship, will become vice chief of naval operations, according to her online Navy biography.

"Her historic career is taking a next step today," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

[Hulka]

The question can be legitimately asked: Is she promoted because she is good or is she promoted above all others because she is a black female.

Affirmative action and PC now make that a reasonable question and one with merit.

[Hulka]

Had the wrong link. Here is the correct link: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=394

[latina4dubya]

being that i know nothing about her other than what i read in the article, i looked her up... some of what i found:

Howard was born to former U.S. Air Force master sergeant Nick Howard and his British wife Phillipa. She is married to Wayne Cowles, a retired U.S. Marine... who, btw, is white... i see that no children are mentioned... which is probably some of why she was able to achieve so much...

[heartwood]

We have been at war for at least half that time, but it’s been land wars. In Asia.

A rapid rise, shrinking military, not much room at the top. She may be good but all the fuss about the First African American Woman whatever and the PC and affirmative action goals of our military tend to raise questions.

I have a dream, that one day, someone can be the first ethnic, or the first woman in some position, and no one will notice.

[Hulka]

“I have a dream, that one day, someone can be the first ethnic, or the first woman in some position, and no one will notice.”

Absolutely.

[latina4dubya]

Affirmative action and PC now make that a reasonable question and one with merit.

yes--i take no issue with that particular question...

[latina4dubya]

Whoa. . .22yrs and a 4-star. I will look into this as something is very, very wrong if this is true. No one is THAT good. No one. Even the fastest rising star can’t make O-7 until at least 20 years, let alone 4-stars at 22-yrs.

32 years... not 22...

[JaguarXKE]

Guilty!!

[MeshugeMikey]

Thanks!

Love yout tagline!!!

may I make a banner using that quote”

[General Moroni]

is it me, or does she bear a striking resemblance to James Earl Jones?

[LoneStarGI]

I think it’s the latter. My father was 20 years Air Force, so I don’t know how it is in the Navy, but he retired a full Colonel. He hold me that when you start moving into flag officer territory it’s not just about talent, it’s about playing politics, and the higher you move up, the more politics takes the place of talent. Because 22 years is a reaaallly short time to get to 4-Star.

[DoodleDawg]

I think it’s the latter. My father was 20 years Air Force, so I don’t know how it is in the Navy, but he retired a full Colonel. He hold me that when you start moving into flag officer territory it’s not just about talent, it’s about playing politics, and the higher you move up, the more politics takes the place of talent. Because 22 years is a reaaallly short time to get to 4-Star

They misread her bio. She was commissioned in 1982, not 1992.

[RJS1950]

As with most flag officers, the more likely reason is the latter. Political connections; true leadership abilities usually have nothing to do with those who are on the fast-track.

[Uncle Miltie]

Is she hot? ;-)

[Focault's Pendulum]

Anyone going 07 is a political hack.

[Uncle Miltie]

Ouch. Affirmative Action Admiral. I’ll take bets on that.

[JimRed]

Did she earn it, or is it affirmative action?

[MeshugeMikey]

There we have it.

[RJS1950]

No real argument there though I might give some consideration to some Marine generals. The rest, all got there through the who you know and who you blow paradigm.

[mikey_hates_everything]

"Did she earn it, or is it affirmative action?"

I hope she earned it but 20 years ago, that question would have never crossed my mind. Now it's SOP. Thanks, Bill and 0!