Posted on Dec 24, 2013
Why are so many admirals and generals being fired by the Obama Administration? Is this indicative of something sinister ahead for the US?
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I have read many articles lately that point to a sinister agenda to impose martial law and render the Constitution meaningless. Some articles present a valid rationale for the Obama Administration firing admirals and generals who oppose firing or ordering their troops to fire on American citizens if the need arose. Add to these articles all the abuses by this administration and it gives one pause to wonder if there is something on the horizon we the people should worry about.
Posted in these groups: 
Politics
Politics
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 17
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I think there is disconnect between the Commander in Chief and the military. I don't know if its his advisors or his National Security Team, or the Joint Chef of Staffs, but there is a disconnect and I believe it is hurting our foreign policy and our military strategy in a number of key and critical areas. But who am I - I have no knowledge today of what is actually happening, so I can only judge based on what I hear and read!
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TSgt Chip Dollason
I think it has a lot to do with the C in C not having any prior military experience whatsoever! Not to mention I believe the C in C has his own agenda and these guys refuse to support it. But that's just my opinion.
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It's not that there are more or an unusual number are being fired, it's that we are more aware of the firings because of the availability of information. Remember, 15 years ago Internet on our phones wasn't a thing. 20 years ago, "internet News" wasn't a thing. 30 years ago, knowing about Command reliefs was just unknown unless you were in the command chain.
Direct access to information is modifying our view.
Direct access to information is modifying our view.
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TSgt Chip Dollason
40 a year for senior ranking officials seems like an awful lot to me. Those are your battle tested well experienced leaders who lead from their knowledge and experience. Knowledge and experience are not something that you can go to supply and just replace.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
TSgt Chip Dollason Quantitative or Percentage wise? When you look at percentages, it's really not that bad. But remember the "Peter Principle" or "managers rise to the level of their incompetence."
As for going to supply and replacing, we're a pyramid shaped hierarchy. We figuratively can go to supply and replace leaders. For every O6 out there, there are 5+ O5 out there ready to take over. Replacing leaders is actually the easiest of our (human) "resources" we can replace, as we have a constant influx of them.
As for going to supply and replacing, we're a pyramid shaped hierarchy. We figuratively can go to supply and replace leaders. For every O6 out there, there are 5+ O5 out there ready to take over. Replacing leaders is actually the easiest of our (human) "resources" we can replace, as we have a constant influx of them.
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TSgt Chip Dollason
I agree that people can be replaced. Hell everyone one is replaceable but not experience or knowledge.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
TSgt Chip Dollason We're not losing that knowledge or experience though. We're just moving it out of specific billets, where it isn't the correct fit. Relief of Command isn't an instant retirement. They are moved to other areas, usually a staff level position of equal grade.
The major advantage the military has over the civilian community is that we can replace folks, swiftly. If a commander, or anyone for that matter is performing inadequately, we replace them. They may just be a better fit elsewhere. Previous exemplary performance is not indicative of good performance in the future. There is a limit to everyone's skill, and sooner or later people will top out. Being able to "pump the brakes" so to speak is a great advantage.
The major advantage the military has over the civilian community is that we can replace folks, swiftly. If a commander, or anyone for that matter is performing inadequately, we replace them. They may just be a better fit elsewhere. Previous exemplary performance is not indicative of good performance in the future. There is a limit to everyone's skill, and sooner or later people will top out. Being able to "pump the brakes" so to speak is a great advantage.
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Here is what GEN Stanley McChrystal said when I asked him the same question.
"I don't think there's a single reason for what has happened, and I don't believe there's any kind of conspiracy, etc. But I do believe that we can and should do a better job of forging truly effective relationships that are built on trust between civilian and military leaders. When you come from different cultures, that can be difficult. But its incredibly important because you're right that losing key leaders is really hard on both the force and mission accomplishment."
"I don't think there's a single reason for what has happened, and I don't believe there's any kind of conspiracy, etc. But I do believe that we can and should do a better job of forging truly effective relationships that are built on trust between civilian and military leaders. When you come from different cultures, that can be difficult. But its incredibly important because you're right that losing key leaders is really hard on both the force and mission accomplishment."
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TSgt Chip Dollason
While I respect Gen McChrystal tremendously, that sounds like a standard political answer. answering with out answering.
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Cpl (Join to see)
I actually agree or I wouldn't have posed the question to the General. Whether it's the media response or not, the visual is that a purge is occurring. I've heard the arguments on both sides, but if your trimming the fat to reorganize the pyramidic structure, you don't fire leaders stating "loss of confidence," you say we are downsizing and eliminating your position.
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TSgt Chip Dollason
Major General Paul Vallely has blown the whistle and claims this is a purpose driven house cleaning.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Some of the top leaders in the military are old spit and polish types. A spirit of a different kind and I think it intimidates too many civilians. I do think it is more a quality of officer than the quantity that is so troubling. As with Weather Units General McChrystal answered that quite sufficiently. There are some who like forecasters and some who do not and an inside source who I actually worked with told me as much. So, there is a lot of politics.
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