Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!shadooby!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!att!cbnews!military From: bobtl%toolbox.wv.tek.com@RELAY.CS.NET Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: _Military_Incompetence_ by Richard A. Gabriel Message-ID: <11861@cbnews.ATT.COM> Date: 1 Dec 89 04:20:17 GMT References: <11763@cbnews.ATT.COM> Sender: military@cbnews.ATT.COM Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR Lines: 38 Approved: military@att.att.com From: bobtl%toolbox.wv.tek.com@RELAY.CS.NET >From: Matt Richards >I have just finished reading the book _Military_Incompetence: >Why_the_American_Military_Doesn't_Win by Richard A. Gabriel. >Has this book been discussed in this forum before? I read this book, very interesting. Actually, the implications can be quite terrifying. However, I had to take it with a grain of salt. Forgive me, it has been too long since I read it to remember specifics, but I am uncomfortable with several pieces of his analysis. The symptoms described in these missions could have different causes than what he derives. > The last chapter makes some >specific recommendations for reform, including fewer officers, >people around less), slower promotions, and moving retirement >from 20 to 30 years of service. > >Has there been movement towards any of these ideas? I have seen movement to stabilize command tours, but little else within the last ten years. The army seems to be reducing its selection rate (forcing officers out of the service) to keep the time required for promotion constant. However, maybe somebody closer to the subject (still on active duty) could better answer this question. I can see two ways of causing such change 1) Convince the flag officers that grew up with the current system that the benefits justify the change. My current cynical belief is "I wish you lots of luck". Gabriel raised this issue in an earlier book, "Crisis in Command". 2) Force change through civilian control of the military. I can see this happening, particularly considering the budget reductions looming on the horizon. A real useful measure here is the percentage of officer, with emphasis on flag officer, slots lost vs. total force reduction. Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com