Who were the greatest military leaders?

[Chiron]

Everyone's reasons for listing someone as great will be different. Some may list a man as a great military leader because of his innovation, another may list a different man because of his cool under fire or ability to make sound and timely decisions while under extreme duress. Military greatness can be defined in so many different ways. I will have to think about this one awhile before I throw my choice or choices up.

Define a great military leader. Some say that it’s the one that wins and knows how to keep the peace. Some say it’s the one that invents tactics that will never change. Others say many different things. I think it’s a combination of many things including, and mostly, the one that changes history for the benefit of mankind.

[DrD]

Thank you for all the replies and thoughts!

Define a great military leader. Some say that it’s the one that wins and knows how to keep the peace. Some say it’s the one that invents tactics that will never change. Others say many different things. I think it’s a combination of many things including, and mostly, the one that changes history for the benefit of mankind.

Ranger Chiron;
I am not sure that peace keeping would be an aspect of this model that Joshua proposed; but suspect it probably is a by-product of a military mind, so let's include it. I will make notes on those folks, so we can address it when the time comes.

Is Joshua in on this?

Ranger Caruthers;
Joshua was invited and asked to work tandem with me, and help shape this model into what he had envisioned. His schedule, at this time, does not allow him to join. However, I will most likely find him as this evolves to get his feedback.

Best;
DrD

[Jim]

All;

From another source, I got this military leader: Adolf Hitler. This person's opinion was that although he was reprehensible, he was an extremely good military leader.

What do you think? Should he be included, or not?

Thank you!
DrD

He was a Political leader; not a military commander/leader. His highest military rank in WWI was "gefrieter" or private soldier. During the period leading up to WWII he allowed the Army to grow with little oversight on his part; rather he relied on his subordinates (Goering, Himmler, Blumberg, Raeder) to manage the day to day operations while he played an ever increasing role in civil society. With the onset of WWII, he was often less than competent in his guidance. He condemmed the Army in the East to Fight and die in place during the worst winter in a decade. He permitted rolling stock to be diverted for deportation rather than assigning the priority to the war effort. I would not classify him as a military leader; a meglomaniac, yes; a military leader, no.

[Horned Toad]

Nathan Bedford Forrest

Killed 30 men in h2h
29 horses shot out from under him
Less than a year of formal schooling
Self made millionaire
Went from private to lieutenant general

[DrD]

Ok, so it seems pretty unanimous. We are *not* including Hitler.

Thanks! :D
DrD

[Silverback]

Ok, so it seems pretty unanimous. We are *not* including Hitler.

Thanks! :D
DrD

The fact that this had to be said aloud...makes me worry for the republic.

[DrD]

Ok, so it seems pretty unanimous. We are *not* including Hitler.

Thanks! :D
DrD

The fact that this had to be said aloud...makes me worry for the republic.

Maybe, Ranger Silverback. I questioned his inclusion, which is why I brought the name to you all to vet. I am very thankful that I can bring questions to you all.

Cheers;
DrD

[Silverback]

Most of the biographies of great leaders will never be written, because Squad and Team Leaders don't garner much attention.

[DrD]

Most of the biographies of great leaders will never be written, because Squad and Team Leaders don't garner much attention.

Undoubtedly. I agree, Ranger Silverback. I can't do anything about that, except ask everyone who will talk to me. Maybe they will share that knowledge with me. When I know enough about what is already written, I will reach out to people to ask those questions. On this regard, this study is also very dependent on my mentor. When he returns, I will have enough information to take to him, and get direction on this.

Best;
DrD

[Jim]

Most of the biographies of great leaders will never be written, because Squad and Team Leaders don't garner much attention.

Thanks for the lead in, Dan. Please allow me to mention one of the finest leaders the Army has had. I give you CSM Walter James Sabalauski, or "Sab" as those of us he helped mold called him:

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/sabalauski.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[K.Ingraham]

Most of the biographies of great leaders will never be written, because Squad and Team Leaders don't garner much attention.

Then we can reintroduce Hitler. He did, apparently, do a half decent job as a corporal in a line company.