[MtnGoat]

Originally Posted by Richard

Even if we're not aware of it, I think a lot of these guys like LTG(R) Bolger do speak out while on AD (within their circles of influence and the accepted protocols of the profession) and are busy "fighting the fight" from within. Once they retire and have the time to reflect both personally and professionally, they seem to want to seek a broader audience, both within and outside their respective branch of service and outside of the various branches of the services themselves, and pass on their views and lessons learned to a much greater audience, including John Q Public, our political leadership, etc. Books like LTG(R) Bolger's are a proven way to do that.

One thing I learned as a commander, your focus on preparing and leading your unit to carry out its assigned missions forces your 'world-view' to become necessarily self-limiting and, therefore, limited, and it isn't until months or even years after relinquishing command that you become far enough removed to realize it, and can then reflect back with a deeper sort of "couldawouldashoulda" self-assessment that re-establishes that broader sense of context and greater understanding. Anectdotal, but my experiences and MOO.

Personally, I'm looking forward to reading LTG(R) Bolger's reflections.

Richard

It should be a good book.