Understanding Military Leadership and Strategy

In 2003, during a low-level insurgency, the speaker recognized General Petraeus as a key figure who understood the situation. Petraeus later helped train Iraqi forces and developed new counterinsurgency strategies with General Mattis. The speaker was asked by the vice president to return to service but declined, citing personal reasons and suggesting Petraeus as a more qualified leader. The consensus among military leaders was that Petraeus was the best choice to lead the war effort.

What role did the speaker hold in 2003?

• Chief of Staff for the Navy

• Acting Chief of Staff for the Army

• Division Commander

• General Officer

Who was the one general officer that understood the early insurgency?

• General Smith

• General Petraeus

• General Sanchez

• General Mattis

What was General Petraeus's second assignment?

• Commanding a division

• Training Iraqi security forces

• Writing a book

• Leading a peacekeeping mission

Where was General Petraeus when he was working on new doctrine?

• Fort Bragg

• Fort Benning

• Fort Leavenworth

• Fort Hood

Who called the speaker to ask him to return to active duty?

• The President

• The Vice President

• The Secretary of Defense

• The Chief of Staff

Why did the speaker decline the request to return to active duty?

• He was retired

• He had personal reasons

• He was unqualified

• He disagreed with the strategy

Who was considered better qualified than the speaker to lead the war effort?

• General Smith

• General Mattis

• General Sanchez

• General Petraeus

What was the consensus among military leaders regarding leadership?

• To appoint General Sanchez

• To appoint a retired general

• To appoint General Petraeus

• To appoint a civilian leader

Who was theorizing about leadership changes in the Oval Office?

• President Bush

• The Secretary of Defense

• The Vice President

• The Chief of Staff

What was the general opinion about General Petraeus taking over the war?

• He was a consensus pick

• He was considered unqualified

• He was opposed by many

• He was a temporary choice