Rummy Is No Game

Let me open today’s entry with a few quotes from the retired generals who are calling for the ouster of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld:

"We went to war with a flawed plan that didn't account for the hard work to build the peace after we took down the regime. We also served under a secretary of defense who didn't understand leadership, who was abusive, who was arrogant, who didn't build a strong team." — Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste

"My sincere view is that the commitment of our forces to this fight was done with a casualness and swagger that are the special province of those who have never had to execute these missions — or bury the results." — Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold

"They only need the military advice when it satisfies their agenda. I think that's a mistake, and that's why I think he should resign." — Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs

"We grow up in a culture where accountability, learning to accept responsibility, admitting mistakes and learning from them was critical to us. When we don't see that happening it worries us. Poor military judgment has been used throughout this mission." — Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, former chief of U.S. Central Command

"I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him. ... I think we need senior military leaders who understand the principles of war and apply them ruthlessly, and when the time comes, they need to call it like it is." — Retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack

"He has shown himself incompetent strategically, operationally and tactically, and is far more than anyone responsible for what has happened to our important mission in Iraq. ... Mr. Rumsfeld must step down." — Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton

That’s an unprecedented lineup of opinion from the highest ranks of military leadership. These men spent their careers caring about two things: 1) the successful completion of their mission; and 2) the protection of their troops. In their opinion, Donald Rumsfeld is a threat to both. I am willing to wager serious coin of the realm that as other flag rank officers who are currently serving move into retirement the above list of quotes will grow. It won’t be unanimous, but it will be significant. For example, four more retired generals spoke out yesterday. One, General Richard Myers, was supportive of Secretary Rumsfeld. The other three, Don Shepperd, David Grange and James Marks, stopped short of calling for Rumsfeld's resignation, but discussed "severe" leadership and management errors in his handling of the war, including disregarding military input in general and disregarding calls for more troops in Iraq in particular. It would be dangerous to assume that these recently retired generals are completely out of phase with their counterparts who remain on the line. The odds don’t favor that bet.

Public criticism of civilian leadership by active military leadership is essentially nonexistent in the U.S., and that isn’t a bad thing. The constitutionally-based relationship between them is well defined – the president and secretary of defense are the superior commanders of all military leaders. In addition, the Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits any officer from speaking contemptuously about the president, vice president or secretary of defense. The line between contempt and mere criticism is not well defined. But without regard to that line, no military officer worth his salt is going be insubordinate in public, no matter how heated a disagreement might become in the private policy and strategy debates that regularly occur in the Pentagon. Practically speaking, currently serving generals and admirals familiar with the fate of Douglas McArthur are unlikely to publicly criticize the sitting secretary of defense even if their criticism falls short of either contempt or insubordination. Like the rest of us, they would like to choose the time of their retirement.

That’s exactly what Major General Batiste did. He commanded the Army's 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, but he declined a promotion to Lieutenant General and a chance to be the No. 2 U.S. military officer in Iraq because he couldn’t accept Rumsfeld's management style. He chose instead to leave the Army and speak out. Others who remain in the service are likely to share his opinion, but they’re soldiers who obey the orders of those above them. Once they retire, they answer only to themselves and to those with whom they served.

It comes as no surprise that the president is 180º out of line with the above opinions. He declared this last weekend, "Secretary Rumsfeld's energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at this critical period. He has my full support and deepest appreciation." That praise is only slightly more glowing than the now famous, “You’re doing a great job, Brownie!”

I don’t think anything else needs to be said by me on this topic. Oh, wait, one more thing should be added. When my son returned from Fallujah almost two years ago he had only one critical opinion about anything connected with the war in Iraq: Secretary Rumsfeld should go.

I support what the troops have to say.