Soldier, Statesman, Scholar: A Study of Strategic Generalship

Abstract

Contrary to Army promotion policies and practices today, all types of generalship are not the same. Instead there are different types of generalship required for different levels of command and specialized function Unfortunately, the Army's focus on promoting officers to general rank based almost exclusively on tactical unit assignments does not address the differences in the requirements for the different types of generalship, particularly at the strategic level. The key characteristics of the strategic level that make it different from lower levels are the importance of joint, combined, and unified command? the constant international scope; and the interaction in the national political system. Examining the lives and careers of three American general who performed unquestionably well at the strategic level, Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, reveal indicators of their success in terms of organizational characteristics, education experience, and selection. The organizational characteristics of the US Army were similar for MacArthur, Marshall, and Eisenhower. Strategic generalship, Generalship, General, General officer, Promotion, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Marshall, Executive leadership, Senior leadership

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 27, 1994
Accession Number
ADA284724

Entities

People

  • Maurice L. Todd

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Personnel
  • Congress
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Instructors
  • International Relations
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • Officer Personnel
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Systems
  • Second World War
  • Students
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.