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2026-07-01 -Land of the Free

General Donahue Abruptly Retiring - A Solid Operator Which Makes A Fella Wonder

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Posted by Blossom Elmolush6088 2026-07-01 00:00|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [1823 views ] Top

1 Pentagon staff ridicule Hegseth's 'because I said so' leadership

Posted by Skidmark 2026-07-01 01:10|| 2026-07-01 01:10|| Front Page Top

2 The position he was holding was reduced under reorg to a 3 star position. He refused to take the star off and is gone. He served at the pleasure of the president. Time for him to go.

Posted by 49 Pan 2026-07-01 02:02|| 2026-07-01 02:02|| Front Page Top

3 Sometimes it's a nookie problem.

Posted by Besoeker 2026-07-01 03:08|| 2026-07-01 03:08|| Front Page Top

4 I admit prejudice towards him - he's a former 2nd AND 3rd Ranger battalion leader plus Delta Force. With that background his operational and tactical skill set seems solid. Although perhaps his political instincts don't jive with the current culture.

Posted by Clem+Elmish4239 2026-07-01 06:02|| 2026-07-01 06:02|| Front Page Top

5 Sometimes great warriors and leaders have been known to.... “get out over their skis."

He's still a great warrior with an absolutely impressive career. Hopefully he'll be remembered for his leadership and contributions.

Posted by Besoeker 2026-07-01 06:51|| 2026-07-01 06:51|| Front Page Top

6 #1 in accordance with the The Goldwater–Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act he's correct.

Posted by Procopius2k 2026-07-01 07:23|| 2026-07-01 07:23|| Front Page Top

7

Politics and retiring as a 4 star vs.3 star pay.

A retired 4 star U.S. Army General can receive a pension that is approximately $237,144 per year.

A 3 star (O-9) retiring from the U.S. Army with 31 years of service can expect a annual retirement pay of around $160,000.

A great warrior, a great military career the US Army will lose a great asset. All likely due to Politics and the needed for the EU to defend itself after 75+ years of NATO.

Posted by NN2N1 2026-07-01 07:28|| 2026-07-01 07:28|| Front Page Top

8 While he has stepped into the politics, a usually fatal move for generals, he was an incredible operator and officer. Knowing when its time to go is always difficult. A lot of GO's leave service and enter politics or business after service. They ALL see to fail in understanding that while they might have been a great officer and led thousands of troops in battle, they have the political knowledge and business acumen of someone in middle management. Its kinda sad, we see it all the time. A GO has what we call a half life when they get out and go into the private or public sectors. Very few make it past the three year half life and continue on upward on the other sectors. The retired military that seem to do best are the major through early COLs. Same goes for the enlisted, E-6 through E-8 seem to progress best. Look at congress and businesses. GO's are figureheads, those that rise to run things are not. There are examples of where some have made it, but the odds are stacked against them.

Posted by 49 Pan 2026-07-01 11:04|| 2026-07-01 11:04|| Front Page Top

9 He has options.

Private Military Services Market, By Service Type, By Contract Type and By End-user

Posted by Skidmark 2026-07-01 11:59|| 2026-07-01 11:59|| Front Page Top

10 Age?

Posted by Regular joe 2026-07-01 12:46|| 2026-07-01 12:46|| Front Page Top

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