Well, Obama’s new Admiralette (his vice CNO) will soon put a stop to that:
How does one get 7 rows of ribbons, without any combat? Oh, she showed up for work most of the time (4 rows), is female (2.5 rows), and possibly a minority (.5 rows). Did I get that right?
Admiral Michelle Howard, USN, is not in command of the US Navy, however, she was recently promoted to Vice Chief of Naval Operations, second in command to the CNO. The selection process leading to her promotion to 4 star rank and her current position, is rather unique in a peace time US Navy. The supposed plan is to eventually promote her to Chief of Naval Operations.
Admiral Howard had command of only one non-capital ship, the USS Rushmore (LSD-47), when she was promoted to Flag rank, which was unique. She eventually received orders as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy, thru January 2009. It then appears that Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus mentored her thru one senior billet after another, by-passing other highly qualified combat-trained, more senior Flag Officers. During the process, she received orders to the proper Command and Staff Colleges, in order to prepare her for each new command assignment, Mabus’ careful guidance led her to her current billet.
In the last 7 years, Obama has modified the selection process for Flag and General Officer, by ensuring the potential selectee’s compliance with his ‘Social Experiment On Diversity’, as a condition for whether an officer will be considered for promotion to Admiral or General.
NOTE: Over the last 7 years, Obama has relieved over 250 highly qualified and combat-trained Flag, General, and Senior Officers; some should have been relieved for cause, but many more were doing a superb job when they were summarily relieved.
What combat decorations did her boss have?