1 The Services as a whole had more three- and four-star generals for Vietnam than for a vastly larger force during World War II. GO/FOs grew so quickly during the Korean War that by mid-1952, the total nearly doubled the World War II peak. Historical comparisons of GO/FOs as a percentage of the total force from the establishment of the National Security Act of 1947 to today show an all-time high, a ratio that has steadily crept upward for more than half a century. Coast Guard Academy officer candidate practices navigating using stars and sextant during evening training session aboard U.S. The Department of Defense (DOD) should reduce the numbers, billets, and percent of GO/FOs in each Service to increase efficiency, streamline decisionmaking, achieve modest cost savings, and enhance accountability of decisionmaking. Although historical numbers are inexact guides and future threats could radically change circumstances, the case for reduction is strong. As end-strength fluctuates, force structure and strength projections for the next decade show the uniformed Services maintaining substantial excess capacity at senior ranks. This development represents “rank creep” that does not enhance mission success but clutters the chain of command, adds bureaucratic layers to decisions, and costs taxpayers additional money from funding higher paygrades to fill positions. During World War II, an admittedly different era, there were more than 2,000 GO/FOs for a little more than 12 million Active troops (1:6,000). This is a ratio of 1 GO/FO for every 1,400 troops. There are approximately 900 Active-duty general/flag officers (GO/FOs) today of 1.3 million troops. McCarthy, USMCR, is Officer in Charge, Marine Coordination Element, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
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