Petraeus a four star general

[samplegirl]

who has never seen combat. I guess 60 men a month seems worth it.

[jody]

1. What about candidates for Commander in Chief who have never seen combat? n/t

[tabasco]

3. Civilian control of the military.

Last time I checked.

[jody]

6. Last time I checked also, still the issue of whether a General has combat experience is questionable

Eisenhower did not have combat experience but most military historians say he did an excellent job.

On the other hand there were many flag officers with excellent combat records who failed when given major command of combat forces.

[tabasco]

10. There are always exceptions.

In the Army, it is considered unusual to reach flag rank without combat experience.

It is also seen as highly valuable experience for military leadership.

The few exceptions you can name do not make this untrue.

IIRC, Ike saw a little action with Blackjack Pershing chasing Mexican bandits. I know Patton did.

Eisenhower was a man of tremendous moral courage and ability.

Petraeus would be unfit to shine Ike's shoes. He is a gutless yes-man.

[samplegirl]

9. It's easy to sacrafice lives

from an armchair.

[TomInTib]

2. He was a two star when this crap started.

I suppose since he's been such an effing success, he must deserve the other two.

[Harper_is_Bush]

4. source please.

[Cruzan]

5. No, he first saw combat during the 2003 Iraq invasion as a 2-star

commanding the 101st Airborne division. He even earned a bronze star medal with 'V' device, though the details of how, I'm not sure of -- supposedly something to do with leading the defense of his command post at Najaf. Still looking for the citation/commendation for it.

[skids]

7. So is dkos at the moment...

FWIW...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/17/191840/571

[Swamp Rat]

8. and a first class sycophant