MILITARY LEADERSHIP

Loss of Leadership

May the Scales Fall Off Our Eyes · War and Accountability · Rollin E. Trueblood, USMC (Ret.)

Public reporting and defense analysis indicate that at least 10 to 15 senior officers at the general and admiral level have been removed from position or forced into early retirement or resignation during this period; however, only a limited number of these cases are publicly identified through verifiable reporting.

1. Charles Q. Brown Jr. — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — removed from position.
2. Lisa Franchetti — Chief of Naval Operations — removed from position.
3. Randy George — Chief of Staff of the Army — removed from position.
4. David Hodne — Senior Army Commander — removed from position.
5. William Green — Chief of Chaplains (U.S. Army) — removed from position.
6. Shoshana Chatfield — U.S. Military Representative to NATO — removed from position.
7. David Allvin — Chief of Staff of the Air Force — retired earlier than expected.

Citizens, my concern is simply this. In a time of war, there has rarely been a period where so many high-ranking officers have been removed. These men and women have served this country with distinction and, along the way, have gained invaluable knowledge — from history to conflict to combat. Their experience carries weight, and their integrity, in most cases, has been proven through years of service. These individuals represent legitimate leadership, grounded understanding, and essential counsel regarding the requirements and true cost of warfare.

Proverbs 11:14 — “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

Proverbs 15:22 — “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”

Proverbs 20:18 — “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.”

Proverbs 24:6 — “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety.”

This apparent lack of senior-level oversight within our military, resulting from the removal of high-ranking officials, should be alarming to everyone.

Where decisions of great consequence appear to rest too heavily on any single perspective, there should be cause for concern. Effective leadership in matters of war is not driven by ego, but by counsel, discipline, and a willingness to draw upon the knowledge and experience of many. Wisdom, knowledge, experience, and proven leadership are essential to establishing sound policy, preventing unnecessary escalation, and planning actions with clarity and restraint.

Equally important is the development of a clear and responsible exit strategy. Any course of action must consider not only how it begins, but how it concludes — protecting lives, preserving stability, and minimizing long-term consequences. In matters of this magnitude, the goal must always be resolution that safeguards all involved, including our nation, our allies, and the broader global community.

It is often easier to claim success when conflicts are measured by the destruction of visible targets, particularly when one side holds overwhelming advantages in technology and firepower. History shows, however, that once engagement shifts to ground operations, the nature of warfare changes dramatically. As seen in Iraq and other conflicts, improvised and low-cost tactics — such as IEDs — can become the most deadly and most expensive challenges to counter. In Iraq, these devices accounted for approximately 40% to 60% of U.S. casualties, making them the single leading cause of death and injury. Since then, technology has further evolved to include low-cost drone systems — relatively inexpensive, highly adaptable tools capable of targeting individuals and small units with precision, adding a new and growing threat alongside traditional improvised weapons. In that environment, superior weapon systems alone cannot determine the outcome. These realities underscore the need for disciplined planning, broad counsel, and a clear understanding of long-term consequences before deeper engagement occurs.

History also shows that the Iraq War continued for nearly a decade, resulting in scorched earth destruction — including oil wells set ablaze, significant disruption to global energy markets, and long-term financial obligations for the United States in caring for wounded service members. These are consequences that extend far beyond the battlefield and must be considered before deeper engagement occurs.

— Rollin E. Trueblood, USMC (Ret.)