So, about that whole 'civilian control of the military' thing... At his Great Big Campaign Rally Without A Campaign in Cincinnati Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump confirmed he'd chosen retired Marine Corps General James N. Mattis for his secretary of Defense, pretending it was some kind of secret: "We are going to be announcing him Monday of next week...Keep it inside the room." Oh, that kidder! Compared to some of the lunatics Trump has chosen for his cabinet, Mattis
There are no ranks to move up to after 4 star. We don't have 5 star generals right now. By default he could not be promoted any more. At that point all you can do it look for positions of greater authority. It's a pretty rarefied field when get to CENTCOM level or higher.
Whether wiki is right and be retired under pressure or not, that''s echelons above my reality, so I don't know. But he did spend 44 years in uniform.
You are partially correct with regard to officer promotions. Generally speaking and officer will get one look in the secondary zone (early promotion) and two looks in the primary zone for the next rank. If an officer does not make rank in the two looks they are gone, regardless of rank. One of the conspiracy theories that used to be floating around was about Obama drumming out a shit ton of Majors, particularly from the Air Force, because obviously they failed the Obama loyalty check and refused to fire on American civilians. The reality is they missed getting promoted and were told to get out.
Several generalizations (pun intended) about Mattis.1. As many have noted, he is not eligible for the Secretary of Defense position. His appointment will require an exemption voted on by the Senate.2. There are comments and assumptions based on Bob Gates book that Gen. Mattis was somehow dismissed or fired or removed by Pres. Obama. That is extremely unlikely. The notions are that Mattis disagreed with the Iran nuclear deal, believed that the Syrian debacle coulda woulda shoulda been deciderated differently, and the Israel-Palestine mess is not fixable. This is nonsense. Pres. Obama has a reputation for encouraging dissenting and different views or opinions or conclusions. However, when a decision has been made, the military personnel are to salute sharply and step out smartly. Other than Gen. McChrystal, Pres. Obama has not and does not meddle in Dept. of Defense decisions. Presently, Sec. Ash Carter runs that shop. Gen. Mattis "billeted out." Throughout the US military, any person past retirement age must move into a similar or more senior assignment (billet) or retire. Joe Dunford had been promoted to 4 star, appointed to Commandant of the Marine Corps and then quickly designated Chairman of the Joint Chiefs--billet closed. Bob Neller was really fast tracked from 2 to 3 to 4 star and selected as Commandant--billet closed. The other 4 star major commands all had generals and admirals well grooved in their jobs. Mattis retired. He was not cashiered.3. Tough Senators with armed services knowledge will look hard at the reality of having a retired Marine general as Secretary of Defense, a Marine as Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, and the obvious Marine Commandment as a member of the chiefs of staff. Inter-service battles for money, programs, and power are notorious. The service secretaries and their chiefs of staff will have the long knives out for the ensuing confirmation battles. Mattis will be viewed as their competitor.4. Gen. Mattis has been in disputes with some of the US senators.
I served in the US Marine Corps long ago and far away.
Competent, well qualified appointee...what went wrong?As intelligent as he is, maybe he has a gift for subtle persuasion and not hurting egos.Mattis need not tolerate working as a bureaucrat. He can direct with broad strokes from the top, and let the deputies - also talented people who may have good ideas - navigate the weeds and make suggestions.Or maybe he's the best disguised monster in the bunch.
~Awesome~ analysis. Just picking out #3, this point ensures if he makes it through confirmation, he is the master and the best pick.I am former Navy, and a Navy civilian in an agency that supports Marines. No complaints if Marines get more resources, they are <the edge="">.
The Marine Corps Commandant, a 4 star general, cannot become a 5 star general under any scenario of which I am aware, as the Marine Corps is a part of the Navy. The Marines are the Navy's ground troops. The US Naval Academy produces both Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Medical and religious staff for the Marines are Navy personnell.
As if Trump was ever going to give anything to that bridge-and-tunnel nobody.
all ignorance toboggans into no.
So Many Deplorables? you want dead breitbart
So Many Depravables? yeah, you found us.
I think Staples has that contract.
I'm a Mad Dog Man - 20/20.
That's a glowing endorsement in my book.
Welcome! I'll get the hot wax and the Beanie Babies.
...
It's the narcissist, I tell you.
There are no ranks to move up to after 4 star. We don't have 5 star generals right now. By default he could not be promoted any more. At that point all you can do it look for positions of greater authority. It's a pretty rarefied field when get to CENTCOM level or higher.
Whether wiki is right and be retired under pressure or not, that''s echelons above my reality, so I don't know. But he did spend 44 years in uniform.
You are partially correct with regard to officer promotions. Generally speaking and officer will get one look in the secondary zone (early promotion) and two looks in the primary zone for the next rank. If an officer does not make rank in the two looks they are gone, regardless of rank. One of the conspiracy theories that used to be floating around was about Obama drumming out a shit ton of Majors, particularly from the Air Force, because obviously they failed the Obama loyalty check and refused to fire on American civilians. The reality is they missed getting promoted and were told to get out.
Commandant was an option.
Several generalizations (pun intended) about Mattis.1. As many have noted, he is not eligible for the Secretary of Defense position. His appointment will require an exemption voted on by the Senate.2. There are comments and assumptions based on Bob Gates book that Gen. Mattis was somehow dismissed or fired or removed by Pres. Obama. That is extremely unlikely. The notions are that Mattis disagreed with the Iran nuclear deal, believed that the Syrian debacle coulda woulda shoulda been deciderated differently, and the Israel-Palestine mess is not fixable. This is nonsense. Pres. Obama has a reputation for encouraging dissenting and different views or opinions or conclusions. However, when a decision has been made, the military personnel are to salute sharply and step out smartly. Other than Gen. McChrystal, Pres. Obama has not and does not meddle in Dept. of Defense decisions. Presently, Sec. Ash Carter runs that shop. Gen. Mattis "billeted out." Throughout the US military, any person past retirement age must move into a similar or more senior assignment (billet) or retire. Joe Dunford had been promoted to 4 star, appointed to Commandant of the Marine Corps and then quickly designated Chairman of the Joint Chiefs--billet closed. Bob Neller was really fast tracked from 2 to 3 to 4 star and selected as Commandant--billet closed. The other 4 star major commands all had generals and admirals well grooved in their jobs. Mattis retired. He was not cashiered.3. Tough Senators with armed services knowledge will look hard at the reality of having a retired Marine general as Secretary of Defense, a Marine as Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs, and the obvious Marine Commandment as a member of the chiefs of staff. Inter-service battles for money, programs, and power are notorious. The service secretaries and their chiefs of staff will have the long knives out for the ensuing confirmation battles. Mattis will be viewed as their competitor.4. Gen. Mattis has been in disputes with some of the US senators.
I served in the US Marine Corps long ago and far away.
Competent, well qualified appointee...what went wrong?As intelligent as he is, maybe he has a gift for subtle persuasion and not hurting egos.Mattis need not tolerate working as a bureaucrat. He can direct with broad strokes from the top, and let the deputies - also talented people who may have good ideas - navigate the weeds and make suggestions.Or maybe he's the best disguised monster in the bunch.
~Awesome~ analysis. Just picking out #3, this point ensures if he makes it through confirmation, he is the master and the best pick.I am former Navy, and a Navy civilian in an agency that supports Marines. No complaints if Marines get more resources, they are <the edge="">.
And you know, he can deploy the 11th grade class of that school to go kick any army's ass.
The Marine Corps Commandant, a 4 star general, cannot become a 5 star general under any scenario of which I am aware, as the Marine Corps is a part of the Navy. The Marines are the Navy's ground troops. The US Naval Academy produces both Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Medical and religious staff for the Marines are Navy personnell.