A zero-defects oversight of military leaders discourages initiative and promotes conformity. This problem is being addressed. We've had the time to adapt to lesser enemies. We won't have the time against a peer enemy.
Fingers crossed at this Department of Defense War objective as Hegseth described it:
Third, we are attacking and ending the walking on eggshells and zero defect command culture. A risk averse culture means officers execute not to lose instead of to win. A risk averse culture means NCOs are not empowered to enforce standards. Commanders and NCOs don't take necessary risks or make tough adjustments for fear of rocking the boat or making mistakes.
A blemish free record is what peacetime leaders covet the most, which is the worst of all incentives. You, we as senior leaders, need to end the poisonous culture of risk aversion and empower our NCOs at all levels to enforce standards. Truth be told, for the most part we don't need new standards. We just need to reestablish a culture where enforcing standards is possible.
Basically, Hegseth doesn't want to lose a Patton because he is too crude for polite society.
I've long worried about this zero-defects culture in our leadership. I cited the problem a quarter century ago when I advocated more Army division headquarters in Military Review. One justification was providing more promotion opportunities to lessen the zero-defects mentality:
More divisions might also diminish officer-corps careerism and fear of failure evident today, which is exacerbated by competition for prized positions in the 10 divisions.
I hope this effort works. Failing or looking stupid--or lacking certain social refinements--shouldn't kill a career if you learn and lead. You should train the way you fight because you fill fight the way you train. I don't want timid officers more afraid of failure or giving offense than they are eager to win.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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NOTE: I made the image with Bing.
