If Rumsfeld was so damn smart why did he refuse to listen to Shinseki and Jones when they told him they needed a larger force? Why did he go along with the dumbass move to disband the Iraqi army? There were a ton of huge mistakes made in the execution of the invasion and occupation. Rumsfeld shares in much of the blame. Rumsfeld was not well liked by many in the military, and were very happy to see him go. This Marine did a little jig when Rumsfeld walked away.
He went along with a number of things he didn’t believe in, being the good soldier.
As for his smaller force issue, his way could have worked without the rules of engagement bullshit those forces had to follow. And perhaps he was a little optimistic about that as well. Either way, ez for you in hindsight. Easy for you to spout your opinion fully knowing that your job doesn’t depend on it.
He was rich, accomplished, and already 70 when he took that role. He didn’t have to do that. He didn’t get anything out of it but a bunch of crap from hindsighters and liberal idiots.