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2007-05-11 Home Front: WoT

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Posted by Seafarious 2007-05-11 00:00|| || Front Page|| [13 views ] Top

#1 a little more info from W. Thomas Smith Jr. of The Tank at National Review

Navy SEAL to Command All U.S. Special Ops Forces

He is the right leader at the right time. Please join me in congratulating VADM Olson.
v/r Doug Brown

'Doug Brown' is U.S. Army Gen. Bryan "Doug" Brown, commander of SOCOM.

'Eric Olson' is Vice Admiral Eric T. Olson, deputy commander of SOCOM and one of the most respected flag officers in Naval Special Warfare circles. Though little has been published about it, I know that Olson (then a captain) was one of a handful of SEALs directly involved in the Battle of Mogadishu, 1993.

Posted by Sherry">Sherry 2007-05-11 00:07|| 2007-05-11 00:07|| Front Page Top

#2 Please forgive my morbid state of mind, but I am so very glad that Eric Olson did not have to die in order to qualify for this commendation.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-05-11 00:30|| 2007-05-11 00:30|| Front Page Top

#3 Zenster - it's a promotion in rank, not an award for bravery, although I'm certain he has several of those as well.

Posted by Robjack">Robjack 2007-05-11 00:54|| 2007-05-11 00:54|| Front Page Top

#4 Olson made it? Cool.

Posted by Pappy 2007-05-11 01:21|| 2007-05-11 01:21|| Front Page Top

#5 I have no idea the true magnitude of what this appointment means. But I do know that having a Seal in command is a good thing. Any background info on Olson?

Posted by Charles 2007-05-11 03:22|| 2007-05-11 03:22|| Front Page Top

#6 I have no idea the true magnitude of what this appointment means.

"The Russians are not our enemy, they're the antagonist. The Navy is our enemy."
Air Force Chief of Staff Curtis LaMay

Posted by Besoeker 2007-05-11 08:49|| 2007-05-11 08:49|| Front Page Top

#7 Go here: http://www.special-operations-technology.com/article.cfm?DocID=531

for bio and interview with Adm. Olson. Tough SOB with a brain. Lethal combo - bye,bye Binny!

Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back! 2007-05-11 09:54|| 2007-05-11 09:54|| Front Page Top

#8 Any background info on Olson?

He was Deputy SOCOM before the promotion. First SEAL to make Vice Admiral. Also one of the few SEALs involved on the ground in Mogadishu (he got a Silver Star for that).

Posted by Pappy 2007-05-11 10:03|| 2007-05-11 10:03|| Front Page Top

#9 It is extremely unusual that special operations types even get one star. They are usually too tactically oriented to deal with the politics.

The $64 question will be how persuasive this gentleman can be in lobbying congressmen. He will be essential to future funding.

Posted by Anonymoose 2007-05-11 12:30|| 2007-05-11 12:30|| Front Page Top

#10 Politics corrupts. Olson was probably a real good officer when he was younger, but he's already had several promotions at the level where politics counts more than ability, so I doubt this means much.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-05-11 12:36|| 2007-05-11 12:36|| Front Page Top

#11 If he was on the ground in Mogadishu, then he knows how politicians can kill good men with their bullshit input. Let's hope he never forgets that lesson.

Posted by wxjames 2007-05-11 14:59|| 2007-05-11 14:59|| Front Page Top

#12 I thought all sailors were SEALS....or at least all the ones I have met are....

Posted by 0369_Grunt 2007-05-11 15:45|| 2007-05-11 15:45|| Front Page Top

#13 Gee, Glenmore, do have any hope for Petraeus then? He has 4 sparklers on his shoulders too. Some of these guys like Jim Jones, Pete Pace and Schoomaker know how to handle politics and get things done tacticallyl. Anyway with Carl Levin at the helm, there is now more politics to play but results is what will drive the money stream - which is what military leadership is all about these days.

Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back! 2007-05-11 16:35|| 2007-05-11 16:35|| Front Page Top

#14 Politics corrupts. Olson was probably a real good officer when he was younger, but he's already had several promotions at the level where politics counts more than ability, so I doubt this means much.

Ever work for an admiral, Glenmore? Of course it's political. Like working for any senior member of an organisation.

Admirals also like Rantburg posters - some are very good, some are f**king idiots. The operational ones tend to be the former. Olson is operational, and a SEAL. Two superior qualities.

Posted by Pappy 2007-05-11 21:12|| 2007-05-11 21:12|| Front Page Top

#15 Pappy,
No Admirals, but some (retired) Generals. You are correct - the upper levels of all organizations are all political positions. And I agree that operations, especially special operations, background is a positive. My problem is that politics by its very nature seems to consume leadership; by the time one 'rises' to Congressman, or God forbid, Senator, there are very few people who have not lost their leadership abilities to political necessity. It's not THEIR fault, its OURS. We, the people, are stupid, shallow, uneducated, vindictive - pick an adjective - and permit (demand) it. With politics, we pull the leaders down to us - very rare are leaders able to lift us up instead (and then the risk is that the leader is a demogogue like Hitler or Bin Laden.)
I'm not saying Olson, or Petraeus, or others are not good men, or even good leaders; but others who seemed strong did not survive the political process intact. They may be our best option, and the process does require politics, but I repeat, politics corrupts, so I don't get too excited about anyone in any organization at this level.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-05-11 22:16|| 2007-05-11 22:16|| Front Page Top

#16 Understood. Yet, IMHO, a good thing.

Posted by Asymmetrical T 2007-05-11 22:31|| 2007-05-11 22:31|| Front Page Top

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