Generals Heel Clique?

The flag officer community in a particular branch of the armed services is a very tight-knit, insular bunch. Many...have known each other since they were captains or lieutenants...providing support and cover for members of their particular clique...Advancing to the flag level...is a bit like climbing the ladder in the PRC Politburo...candidates are identified and screened years in advance, then their careers are carefully managed so they can rise to the top...That sounds a bit sinister...but the system generally works...I am not doubting the loyalty...of any of the officers who have criticized Rumsfeld. But describing their sudden flurry of criticism as "coincidental" is pure bunk. Retired flag officers are a prototypical "good old boy" (and girl) network...they certainly know how the game in Washington is played, right down to a well-timed media offensive...do a little digging, and you'll find most have some sort of personal beef with both Secretary Rumsfeld and/or the Bush Administration. In the regard, criticism of the war effort (and its leadership) provides an opportunity to settle old scores, with the assistance of a willing press...., The Generals' Revolt, 'Spook86,' In From The Cold

General beefs with Secretary Rumsfeld are not news, but thanks to "Spook86" for reminding us. An awful lot of generals hated Rumsfeld from his first announcement of force reorganization, which cost them many potential commands, especially of ground troops. Three years after the collapse of an opposing army five times the size of the one we fielded to fight it in Iraq, there are lots of retired generals who believe we should have gone into Iraq with the same kind of force fielded by Saddam Hussein. And, as this old spy makes clear, such disputes are nothing new.

Luther