In light of current leadership scandals involving senior military leaders a look back at Eisenhower and Marshall… Peace, Padre Steve+
Great military leaders are the products of the militaries in which they serve. This begins in their early career and includes their education, training, assignments as well as the men that they serve under in their formative years. They are shaped by the character, doctrine and organization of the military that they serve and are products of the times that they live and serve. Even the difference of a few years can make a major difference in the career path and development of a leader. Such was the case with two of the great figures of the US Army in World War Two Generals of the Army George Marshall and Dwight David Eisenhower.
George Marshall
The careers of Marshall and Eisenhower prior to the Second World War were somewhat similar but also included major differences that would shape them for their roles in the war. Marshall was commissioned 13 years…
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The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 
I’ve often wondered, as these current scandals crop up, if the “old guard” like Eisenhower and Marshall could survive the current 24 hour news cycle. What of Ike’s supposed dalliances with his secretary/driver? (I forget which position she held. Yeah – double entendre. Sorry.) Would Patton have simply been reprimanded for the slapping incidents, or would he have been “drawn and quartered” by vindictive reporters? Heck, would the Guardian have left Monty off the hook for the debacle at Arnhem?
Somehow, I think those greats of the past might not have survived unscathed. The sadder thought is, what great future leaders have we lost simply because the “peeping Tom” media found out about General Petraeus’ affair?
Hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving! We’ve survived to this point – though the wife has been asleep most of the time she’s been home. We just gotta survive until 11pm tonight! 🙂