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There remains the opportunity for the American military to regain the focus on mission, i.e. how to fight, and win the next war. How much harm to our readiness has been the focus on CRT and other follies promoted by generals seeking only their next promotion?

I have news for you all: the American military in the early days of the All Volunteer Force had real issues with personnel. I was an ADA Platoon Leader from 77-79, I remember those challenges: available manpower at 80%, discipline problems, aged equipment. It would have been much worse under today's modus operandi.

Ever try reloading a Chaparral missile system with a 3 man crew? The missiles IIRC weighed over 190 pounds. I often assisted during reloading, while having a senior officer tell me, "LT, you shouldn't be doing that...officers don't do that."

The Deputy CG of 32nd AADCOM dropped in at our motor pool, when I had just taken over as Maintenance Officer. I was in overalls, was under the track assisting my mechanic. BG Archie Cannon said to me, "your job is to supervise, so take off those overalls." But there was a look in his eye that said to me, "go ahead and put them back on AFTER I leave." LOL

I loved that man. He stood up for me in another situation a few weeks earlier. I really got into it with the Team Chief during a Nuclear Surety Inspection, a LT Colonel. I was leading a platoon in support of the local Nike Hercules battery. We had 4 hours to get there, we arrived 30 minutes early, but that wasn't good enough for him.

The next day, at the outbriefing, he made a pointed reference to that. When the team left, BG Cannon went to the podium, pointed at me and said, "LT NHN, I'll take that hit for you. Anytime you want to give your soldiers extra training, you have my express permission."

I'm doubtful that same leadership exists in today's military.