Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Young Officers Challenge Brass on Iraq

Critiques of failure reveal rift between generals, troops

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2007 10:01 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A growing number of young military officers are offering critiques of what went wrong in Iraq, revealing a generational divide between officers on the ground and the generals who deploy them, the Wall Street Journal reports. In an scathing essay in Armed Forces Journal,  Lt. Col. Paul Yingling charged that top brass failed to prepare for guerrilla fights, and then failed to adapt as quickly as front-line troops.

Yingling, a 41-year-old veteran of two tours in Iraq, said the system rewards generals for conforming and discourages risk-taking, while young officers have to adapt to stay alive. His solution: to change the promotion system to include reviews by subordinates. The response from higher-ups to the hotly debated essay: Col. Yingling's not qualified to judge.

Iraqi soldiers search a building in Baqouba, Iraq, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Thursday, June 28, 2007. Joint US and Iraqi military offensive in the city of Baqouba to drive militants out of the town is in it's second week. (AP Photo/Talal Mohammed)
Iraqi soldiers search a building in Baqouba, Iraq, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Thursday, June 28, 2007. Joint US and Iraqi military offensive in the city of Baqouba to drive militants...   (Associated Press)
U.S. soldiers from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Second Infantry Division prepare to search homes in the Dora neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq Thursday, June 28, 2007. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)
U.S. soldiers from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Second Infantry Division prepare to search homes in the Dora neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Related Links

Yingling's article
Armed Forces Journal

The importance of Paul Yingling
Roguely Stated

The military criticizes the military
See No Evil

US

 
Iraq • military • Paul Yingling • US troops • Armed Forces Journal • Iraq war

More Newser Stories

Colbert Bringing Show to Baghdad

Army Waivers Linked to Suspect Soldiers

Army Can't Sustain Troop Demand in Iraq

14 Troops Killed in 2 Days

Military Preps for Iraq Pullout
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne