Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Meet the Real Gen. Clark: A Vain, Pompous, Brown-noser
counterpunch ^ | 3/29/03 | Self

Posted on 03/29/2003 8:43:12 PM PST by Az Joe

http://www.counterpunch.org/clark.html

A VAIN, POMPOUS, BROWN-NOSER

Meet the Real Gen. Clark

Anyone seeking to understand the bloody fiasco of the Serbian war need hardly look further than the person of the beribboned Supreme Allied Commander, General Wesley K. Clark. Politicians and journalists are generally according him a respectful hearing as he discourses on the "schedule" for the destruction of Serbia, tellingly embracing phrases favored by military bureaucrats such as "systematic" and "methodical".

The reaction from former army subordinates is very different. "The poster child for everything that is wrong with the GO (general officer) corps," exclaims one colonel, who has had occasion to observe Clark in action, citing, among other examples, his command of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood from 1992 to 1994.

While Clark's official Pentagon biography proclaims his triumph in "transitioning the Division into a rapidly deployable force" this officer describes the "1st Horse Division" as "easily the worst division I have ever seen in 25 years of doing this stuff."

Such strong reactions are common. A major in the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado when Clark was in command there in the early 1980s described him as a man who "regards each and every one of his subordinates as a potential threat to his career".

While he regards his junior officers with watchful suspicion, he customarily accords the lower ranks little more than arrogant contempt. A veteran of Clark's tenure at Fort Hood recalls the general's "massive tantrum because the privates and sergeants and wives in the crowded (canteen) checkout lines didn't jump out of the way fast enough to let him through".

Clark's demeanor to those above is, of course, very different, a mode of behavior that has earned him rich dividends over the years. Thus, early in 1994, he was a candidate for promotion from two to three star general. Only one hurdle remained - a war game exercise known as the Battle Command Training Program in which Clark would have to maneuver his division against an opposing force. The commander of the opposing force, or "OPFOR" was known for the military skill with which he routinely demolished opponents.

But Clark's patrons on high were determined that no such humiliation should be visited on their favorite. Prior to the exercise therefore, strict orders came down that the battle should go Clark's way. Accordingly, the OPFOR was reduced in strength by half, thus enabling Clark, despite deploying tactics of signal ineptitude, to triumph. His third star came down a few weeks later.

Battle exercises and war games are of course meant to test the fighting skills of commanders and troops. The army's most important venue for such training is the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, where Clark commanded from October 1989 to October 1991 and where his men derisively nicknamed him "Section Leader Six" for his obsessive micro-management.

At the NTC, army units face a resident OPFOR that has, through constant battle practice coupled with innovative tactics and close knowledge of the terrain, become adept at routing the visiting "Blue Force" opponents. For Clark, this naturally posed a problem. Not only were his men using unconventional tactics, they were also humiliating Blue Force generals who might nurture resentment against the NTC commander and thus discommode his career at some future date. To the disgust of the junior OPFOR officers Clark therefore frequently fought to lose, sending his men on suicidal attacks in order that the Blue Forces should go home happy and owing debts of gratitude to their obliging foe.

All observers agree that Clark has always displayed an obsessive concern with the perquisites and appurtenances of rank. Ever since he acceded to the Nato command post, the entourage with which he travels has accordingly grown to gargantuan proportions to the point where even civilians are beginning to comment. A Senate aide recalls his appearances to testify, prior to which aides scurry about the room adjusting lights, polishing his chair, testing the microphone etc prior to the precisely timed and choreographed moment when the Supreme Allied Commander Europe makes his entrance.

"We are state of the art pomposity and arrogance up here," remarks the aide. "So when a witness displays those traits so egregiously that even the senators notice, you know we're in trouble." His NATO subordinates call him, not with affection, "the Supreme Being".

"Clark is smart," concludes one who has monitored his career. "But his whole life has been spent manipulating appearances (e.g. the doctored OPFOR exercise) in the interests of his career. Now he is faced with a reality he can't control." This observer concludes that, confronted with the wily Slobodan and other unavoidable variables of war, Clark will soon come unglued. "Watch the carpets at NATO HQ for teeth marks."CP


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: clark; cnn; demshill; wesleyclark
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

1 posted on 03/29/2003 8:43:12 PM PST by Az Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
Hey Clarke. How much of the Serb military did you destroy during 78 days of bombing in Kosovo from 15000 feet? Wasn't it nearly nothing? Great war Clarke. We settled on the same terms the Serbs proposed at Rambouillet before the bombing. Congrats on bombing water works and power plants and killing 500-3000 civilians (depending on whose numbers you believe) for nothing. You look good in the glowlights of the CNN cellar were you currently reside Dracula.
2 posted on 03/29/2003 8:49:06 PM PST by Burkeman1 (i)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
But Clark's patrons on high were determined that no such humiliation should be visited on their favorite. Prior to the exercise therefore, strict orders came down that the battle should go Clark's way. Accordingly, the OPFOR was reduced in strength by half, thus enabling Clark, despite deploying tactics of signal ineptitude, to triumph. His third star came down a few weeks later.

To The Elite Clark's big star will be his being chosen to run as VP with Hilliary Clinton on the Dem Party Ticket

3 posted on 03/29/2003 8:51:02 PM PST by TrueBeliever9
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
I don't enjoy ragging a military man, but his "expertise" on CNN over the last week has been relentlessly negative. I see no point in him doing this, except if he has political ambitions and seeks to distance himself from the war so he could run as a demRat. Clark was a combat veteran and has earned several medals.

Among his military decorations are the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star Medal (two awards), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), and the Army Commendation Medal (two awards).

4 posted on 03/29/2003 8:56:13 PM PST by Az Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TrueBeliever9
I saw General Haig who Clark was a Speech writer for say he was not that impressed with either of his abilites
5 posted on 03/29/2003 8:56:36 PM PST by scooby321
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
I look at this man's eyes and I see NO SOUL! A deep dark abyss is behind those eyes! I see no light in this man - no light! He could pass for a robot...........
6 posted on 03/29/2003 9:00:20 PM PST by TrueBeliever9
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
Yup, he's a big hero over at DUmmy land. They all seem to think he could run as VP on Kerry ticket and sweep the South. Hehe.
7 posted on 03/29/2003 9:02:06 PM PST by Hazzardgate
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: TrueBeliever9
I know what you mean. Two other people give me the same feeling. One is Clinton- the other is McCain.
8 posted on 03/29/2003 9:03:05 PM PST by Burkeman1 (i)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
The only thing that really scares me about the chance for success in Irag, is the existence in the general officer corps of the kind of officer described here.
9 posted on 03/29/2003 9:03:22 PM PST by KrisKrinkle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Burkeman1
you forgot Hilliary
10 posted on 03/29/2003 9:06:38 PM PST by TrueBeliever9
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: TrueBeliever9
She has a soul- but it is one of elemantal evil.
11 posted on 03/29/2003 9:07:25 PM PST by Burkeman1 (i)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Burkeman1
Hey Clarke. How much of the Serb military did you destroy during 78 days of bombing in Kosovo from 15000 feet? Wasn't it nearly nothing? Great war Clarke. We settled on the same terms the Serbs proposed at Rambouillet before the bombing. Congrats on bombing water works and power plants and killing 500-3000 civilians (depending on whose numbers you believe) for nothing. You look good in the glowlights of the CNN cellar were you currently reside Dracula.

Right on, Bro. The little perfumed pansy is nothing more than a housebroken Arkie white trash dwarf. Let them flog him for high office - he is toast.

12 posted on 03/29/2003 9:10:55 PM PST by Bedford Forrest (Roger, Contact, Judy, Out. Fox One. Splash one.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
There have been charges by some that Clark bought a star from Clinton in the Arkansas National Guard.
13 posted on 03/29/2003 9:23:23 PM PST by doug from upland (Protestors file Chapter 7 -- they are morally bankrupt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
I think this is something freepers and counterpunch.org (run by Alexander Cockburn!) can agree on.
14 posted on 03/29/2003 9:30:06 PM PST by NYCVirago
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Burkeman1
"Congrats on bombing water works and power plants and killing 500-3000 civilians (depending on whose numbers you believe) for nothing."

You might also have mentioned a railroad bridge or two in which passenger trains containing innocent women and children were sent crashing into the canyon. Contrast these deliberate acts of terrorism by the soulless clintonistas with current efforts by coalition forces in Iraq to minimize collateral damage.

15 posted on 03/29/2003 9:35:39 PM PST by kimosabe31
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Az Joe
A malleable, carerr-obsessed ass kisser. No wonder Clinton liked 'im.
16 posted on 03/29/2003 9:44:50 PM PST by RightOnline
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RightOnline
I heard that the current Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Shinseki, is going to run for senator in Hawaii, his home state.

He's supposed to retire this summer, but he may depart next week and go on terminal leave.
17 posted on 03/29/2003 9:50:48 PM PST by Fred Mertz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: Matthew James
Ping.
19 posted on 03/29/2003 10:00:00 PM PST by Travis McGee (--- I don't own any "assault rifles," just Homeland Defense Rifles. It's my patriotic duty. ---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Charley Chan; Joe Montana; aristeides
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
20 posted on 03/29/2003 10:01:42 PM PST by Fred Mertz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson