#2. “Because management of subordinates is something that is culturally obsolete in the US. We are all supposed to be “self-managing”. When I read the story above about the “Marine veteran”, it sounds like a story from the last century (!). Management’s role these days is representing your subordinates UP to management. Work – just happens. Or, not.”

Leadership is not culturally obsolete in the US military, nor is effective management. It doesn’t help, IMO, to frame the issue in absolute terms. We may have problems, significant ones, but I have confidence they will be addressed. Whether our political leadership will have that same confidence remains to be seen.

I will tell you that I had absolutely no concerns about such leadership while in command (Navy) only ten years ago. Yes, it was in the last century (!) Yes, we have rot in our military, from what I’ve read, and yes, it’s pernicious. But excise it we must. We can help by demanding our political leadership face the issue squarely and support the action our professional military must take.