MILITARY APPOINTMENTS
High level military officers such as Generals and Admirals are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the military establishment and the Congress. A variety of military boards such as the Joint Chiefs of Staff are also appointed by the President.
Military officer nominations are subject to confirmation by the Senate, largely in batch mode - and on a very regular basis - from the lowest commissioned officer in each branch of the Military through the highest - being offered on nomination by the President of the United States.
Updated Sunday, February 03, 2008 07:35 PM
September 14 2007: Generals in Iraq are political appointees in a Constitutional government where civilians are in control, and control a General's appointment. History tells us this is a good plan. Some President's are good strategists with a plan which somehow serves the National interest - some Presidents have a plan that serves other interests - and some have no viable plan. In each of these cases, the military shapes its agenda and position to serve the civilian interest - it is in the nature of US military. We had a major dose of this process this week in relation to Iraq when the General reported to Congress, the President, and the public. The image was a bit cold and fractious - and a clear example of how the process works, whatever one's judgment is about that process.
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High level military officers such as Generals and Admirals are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the military establishment and the Congress. A variety of military boards such as the Joint Chiefs of Staff are also appointed by the President.
Military officer nominations are subject to confirmation by the Senate, largely in batch mode - and on a very regular basis - from the lowest commissioned officer in each branch of the Military through the highest - being offered on nomination by the President of the United States.
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If you are tracking particular appointments, check the current status Senate Armed Services Committee on the Senate Committees internet page, and check the Congressional Record every day to see when the confirmation takes place. The Internet Congressional Record is usually updated by 11 am - Washington D C time - the day following any session of either House of the United States Congress. You can also contact the local state offices of your United States Senators or their Washington offices by e-mail or telephone. Generally the Internet records are easier to access. Surface mail is very slow since 9-11 since all such mail is opened in a location remote to Washington, scanned, and provided to the addressee electronically.
Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey bit the dust this week over the treatment of soldiers at Army medical facilities - fired by Secretary of Defense Gates along with high ranking Generals who directly commanded the hospitals. It is a political issue, of course, but an accountability statement by Gates. This is a confirmable appointment without a nominee as of 3/3/07.
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Contact: Director@Presidential-Appointments.org Thank you. John Isaacson 617 504 3699
