Is the Air Force spanking its generals good or bad? (BD versus Gen. Dunlap)

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Tuesday, January 4, 2011 - 7:16 AM Share

Over the last two years, 13 Air Force generals have received letters of admonishment, Air Force Times reports. All but three have retired or indicated they plan to do so.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Dunlap expresses concern about this. "It certainly seems that the Air Force is applying a tougher standard than anyone else in the Department of Defense," he told AFT. He worries that public spankings will deter leaders from taking prudent risks.

I actually think the Air Force is doing the right thing, for two reasons. First, it shows that generals are subject to punishment like personnel of other ranks. Second, it is a good first step back toward the long-standing American military tradition of relieving generals who fail, something we have lost in our recent wars. When failure is not punished, then success tends not to be rewarded. And rewarding success is the best way to encourage leaders to take prudent risks.

U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency

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IRONCAPT

3:42 PM ET

January 4, 2011

Mailmen in with Guns

I agree with Tom here. While I respect General Dunlap, he's wrong here. Many off these firing were related to problems handling nukes. That is not a field that you can cut folks too much slack on, be they privates or Generals.

I'm more annoyed by guys like Sanchez complaining that his disastrous tenure as commander of MNF-I was not rewarded with a fourth star. He seemed incredulous that after getting deep selected for a three star combat command, he wouldn't automatically get a fourth star.

Sometimes I think that our officers are mailmen with guns. Nice beneifits. Comfortable, seniority+ check in the block assignment based promotions. Technocrats, not visionaries. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between.

 

RUFF JUSTICE

11:06 PM ET

January 4, 2011

News Flash:

I'm with Mr. Ricks that punishing poor performers actually motviiates and supports those who are successfull... While its not as juicy as an AF General going down or a dumb Navy Carrier Commander the commander of the 172d IBCT in Germany and his CSM were just relieved... during their train up for OEF : http://www.stripes.com/news/army-relieves-172nd-infantry-brigade-commander-1.130605

 

HUNTER

8:16 AM ET

January 5, 2011

Interesting about the 172nd

...but why was the command team relieved? People aren't motivated by the relief of poor performers unless they understand the context. Perhaps the soldiers in the 172nd understand that context, perhaps not, but we would do everyone a better service if we eliminated speculation and second guessing and just spilled the beans. It need not be a detailed recreation, but a modicum of explanation (beyond that in the article) is justified.

In the olden days Article 15s were posted in the halls of headquarters - usually with names redacted. They served as descriptive evidence and clear disincentive to bad behavior. You can't learn from others mistakes if you don't know what the mistake was.

 

RUBBER DUCKY

11:15 AM ET

January 5, 2011

'In the olden days'

In the olden days, military justice was administered publicly ... just as it is throughout the history of the courts in England and American civil society. Article 15 proceedings should be conducted in front of the crew. I've done it. It works.

 

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military for the Washington Post from 2000 through 2008.

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