What Is a “Real” General?

W.J. Astore

Tragically for America, Trump Believes He Is the Law

Yesterday, President Trump fired the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General CQ Brown, nominating retired Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine as the next Chairman, who, Trump claims, is a “real” general instead of a “TV” general.

General CQ Brown, apparently not “real” enough for Trump

Trump’s affection for “real” generals is well known. In his first term as president, Trump was much taken with retired Marine Corps General James Mattis, who reminded Trump of General George Patton of World War II fame. Mattis became the Secretary of Defense—but his term of service didn’t end well.

General Caine first impressed Trump in 2018. They share something in common: boastfulness. Caine apparently told Trump that the Islamic State could be destroyed “in a week.” Trump also recounted meeting Caine in a hangar as the assembled troops were donning “MAGA” caps in a show of support for the president. As Trump recounted last year: 

“They all put on the Make America Great Again hat. Not supposed to do it. I said, ‘you’re not supposed to do that. You know that.’ They said, ‘It’s OK, sir. We don’t care.'”

Clearly, Trump selected General Caine because he perceives him as being loyal—to Trump. The MAGA caps and his can-do boastfulness were the clinchers.

I guess “real” generals are real when they talk a good game while donning MAGA caps. It helps too that Caine is a white male who can’t be construed as a DEI hire.

Trump didn’t just fire General CQ Brown, who’s Black. He also fired the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, perhaps because as a woman Trump perceived her to be another DEI hire. Equally as likely, Trump saw Brown and Franchetti as insufficiently loyal—to him.

Back in March of 2016, I wrote an article in which I said Trump had disqualified himself as a Presidential candidate because he elevated personal loyalty to his potential commands (even illegal ones) over service members’ solemn oath to the U.S. Constitution. I continue to stand by that article.

To Trump the man, what matters is personal loyalty and obedience to him. As president, what should matter to him is an officer’s loyalty to the law—to the Constitution. Tragically for America, Trump believes he is the law. Too many of Trump’s followers also believe this.

Far too often, Trump behaves like a petulant man-child who is jealous of his power. His idea of “real” leaders are those who kowtow to him. That’s the idea not of a strong and mature leader but of a wannabe petty dictator.

10 thoughts on “What Is a “Real” General?”

  1. A real General (or any Leader) has honor. That is what Trump wants (even though he may not even know it). Trump was badly burned in his first term by Leaders working for him who lacked honor, and thankfully he learned from that. Any leader espousing morally bankrupt and amoral DEI policies is by definition lacking in honor (Res Ipsa Loquitur). Trump does not want a team of Vindman-style weasels. He wants men and women with honor, with values that truly reflect America; Leaders who will not kowtow to whatever way the woke wind is blowing. Trump’s amazing and diverse new cabinet speaks to that (again, Res Ipsa Louitur). As a Technology Executive leading a fairly large IT Team (~200 staff), I can I fully understand what Trump is doing. I do not need a bunch of poster children on my team running around posing, lying, maneuvering, and undermining me. I want highly competent Leaders with Honor who are aligned with my vision and can execute and deliver. The interesting question that is between the lines of your article above is: given that the Left is hard at work trying to undermine traditional American values, are they now working to redefine integrity as kowtowing?

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    1. i’m curious, TJ. What “honor” or “traditional American values” were on display and at work in Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Panama, Grenada, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Somalia? And are on display in Ukraine, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria again?

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    2. Do you truly think Trump is focused on “honor”?

      Trump seems smitten by generals who look a certain way, who flatter him, who nod approvingly when troops don MAGA caps–an inappropriate political stunt that I’d argue is less than honorable.

      It’s striking to me that Trump was impressed by a general who claimed he could eliminate the Islamic State “in a week.” If he could, why didn’t he?

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      1. Any leader espousing morally bankrupt and amoral DEI policies is by definition DO YOU EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT DEI IS?

        When the writer of this sentence talks about “morally bankrupt and amoral DEI”, it is clear they are mouthing talking points by right wing way of disparaging those who are suffering from the present system, with all of its abuses. DIversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) promotes the fair treatment of all people, particularly those who have been under-represented and/or having suffered discrimination based on race or disability. This includes Native Americans, African Americans and those who have been marginalized in the USA for one reason or another.

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        1. DEI is a sophomoric framework/theory that sounds wonderful to some. In practice, (in the real world) it only serves create division and hatred. It is sanctioned racism and sexism. It does not align with American values, and it is beneath anyone with honor.

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      2. That is a hypothetical that I can’t really answer…too much context is unknown.

        But to take it back to your original theme…the bottom line is that real leaders want real leaders.

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  2. Personally, I cannot stand Trump and all that he stands for. BUT if he ACTUALLY has the balls and some success in trying to put a bridle on the Department of WAR and the Pentagon and limit some on their murderous actions, I’m gonna’ give him a little rope to do so and keep my own damned mouth shut… at least for a little while.

    Jerry King

    gnking2@verizon.net

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