Follow up. While Lord Kirchner saw how WWI would develop, We can't forgot the string of field generals. I understand it was the Germans who coined "Lions, led by Donkeys." Fortunately, Churchill, an innovative thinker, backed the tank And the Royal Navy, which had had its own reform, won the war for the Allies. Regards -- Cliff
I think you touched on something when you mentioned ADM Zumwalt (my Father knew his Father, professionally). He was an innovator. Change comes from innovators, like Elihu Root, who gave us Roosevelt Hall, via the Army War College. I agree with William Groves, Bloom Where You are Planted. Ticket punching is OK, but sometimes one gets sent off the path, and it is a learning experience. But, if innovation is needed, you have to bring in a disrupter and that disrupter might not have followed the approved path and checked all the appropriate boxes. On the other hand, when I think of General George C Marshall or Field Marshal Kitchener, they had the insight to plan for success in war. Conclusion: A mixed bag. Sorry.
The requirement to punch all the right "tickets" is the go-to solution set for most young military officers, but I skipped a few key steps. Broken time as a young Marine captain when I left active duty for two years to milk cows set me back, but I was able to catch up because of hard work and a few key mentors who trusted in my potential and allowed me to progress to multiple command billets when others had more operational experience. When I talk to young junior officers today, I suggest it is best to "bloom where planted" and learn to get along with people along the way.
Follow up. While Lord Kirchner saw how WWI would develop, We can't forgot the string of field generals. I understand it was the Germans who coined "Lions, led by Donkeys." Fortunately, Churchill, an innovative thinker, backed the tank And the Royal Navy, which had had its own reform, won the war for the Allies. Regards -- Cliff
I think you touched on something when you mentioned ADM Zumwalt (my Father knew his Father, professionally). He was an innovator. Change comes from innovators, like Elihu Root, who gave us Roosevelt Hall, via the Army War College. I agree with William Groves, Bloom Where You are Planted. Ticket punching is OK, but sometimes one gets sent off the path, and it is a learning experience. But, if innovation is needed, you have to bring in a disrupter and that disrupter might not have followed the approved path and checked all the appropriate boxes. On the other hand, when I think of General George C Marshall or Field Marshal Kitchener, they had the insight to plan for success in war. Conclusion: A mixed bag. Sorry.
The requirement to punch all the right "tickets" is the go-to solution set for most young military officers, but I skipped a few key steps. Broken time as a young Marine captain when I left active duty for two years to milk cows set me back, but I was able to catch up because of hard work and a few key mentors who trusted in my potential and allowed me to progress to multiple command billets when others had more operational experience. When I talk to young junior officers today, I suggest it is best to "bloom where planted" and learn to get along with people along the way.