Army discloses it has fired 129 battalion and brigade commanders since 2003
The Army told Michelle Tan of the Army Times that since 2003, it has relieved 98 battalion commanders and 31 brigade commanders. It also has relieved 7 general officers since 2008, Tan reported. Why is it disclosing these numbers now? “I think the narrative comes out of many soldiers who rightfully or wrongfully believe that ...
The Army told Michelle Tan of the Army Times that since 2003, it has relieved 98 battalion commanders and 31 brigade commanders.
The Army told Michelle Tan of the Army Times that since 2003, it has relieved 98 battalion commanders and 31 brigade commanders.
It also has relieved 7 general officers since 2008, Tan reported.
Why is it disclosing these numbers now? “I think the narrative comes out of many soldiers who rightfully or wrongfully believe that the Army doesn’t hold senior leaders, senior military officers accountable in the same fashion they hold junior officers or enlisted,” Army Secretary John McHugh told Tan.
OK, making such a disclosure is the first step forward, and it should be applauded.
That said, here are my questions.
–What were they relieved for? Were any relieved for incompetence in combat, or other issues of military effectiveness, rather than personal lapses in behavior, whether in a combat zone or not?
–Why doesn’t the Army disclose details, at the time? Does it not trust the American people with this information? The Navy does disclose this information, so it cannot be a matter of legalities, but rather a matter of Army policy.
–Why do you think this narrative has emerged, Secretary McHugh? Have Army policies played a role, or is it entirely a problem of misperception by soldiers (“different spanks for different ranks”) and the public?
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