Candid assessment

I’m glad to learn that the Chief of Staff of the Army, GEN George Casey, is concerned about the quality of recruits the Army is now allowing to join. At a recent gathering of government executives, General Casey noted that the number of people joining today who have a GED rather than a regular high school degree has increased, as have the number of CAT 4 individuals (lower end of the quality scale). While it’s still too early to judge the overall impact on the Army as a result of these statistics, it's fairly obvious to me at least, that there may be future problems which will be difficult to overcome. He also indicated that many mid-grade leaders are deciding to leave the Army. These are the people the Army has groomed for years to assume senior level leadership positions. The decreasing mid-grade experience base situation is further exacerbated as a result of the Army’s new structure which calls for an increase in mid-grade leaders at brigade level. I like the fact that those at the very top are now being more realistic about what kind of shape the Army is in, but I don’t like the fact it’s taken so long to say so candidly.