Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive to trim 20% of the four-star ranks is a necessary first step, but it risks becoming another exercise in “reorganizing the deck chairs” if the underlying architecture of the Generating Force isn’t fundamentally dismantled. The Competence Standard: By utilizing the JSOC model, we place this validation authority in the hands of an O-6 Portfolio Lead who possesses the domain expertise to spot anomalies—removing the “Ghost Echelons” of generalists whose primary function is checking boxes rather than verifying lethality. A combat veteran decorated for both heroism and valor, he is the author of the field manuals “Plan Like a Green Beret,” and “Finding Your Way in the Dark,” and the techno-thriller “In the Shadows of the Sky.” His work explores the intersection of elite military decision-making, intuition, and disruptive leadership.
Author: RealClearWire
Published at: 2026-02-07 23:15:21
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