Friday, July 06, 2012  How does the Marine Corps select its
generals?  Colonel Ripley's awards. I was re-reading Colonel
Ripley's biography.  They' really should make a movie about this
guy...he was a legend.  His heroics are talked about in Boot
Camps Marine Corps wide....But one thing irks me and I can't
find the answer.    Why didn't he ever pin on stars?  How could
people that were less qualified, having less moral and physical
courage be allowed to advance past him?  Don't get me wrong. 
Attaining the rank of Colonel in the Marine Corps is NOTHING to
sneeze at....but did he not get selected?  If anyone knows then
hit me up in my mailbox.  Thanks.     1. I'll give you one view.
The higher the rank the more political ones role becomes. A
general officer is a political animal and to some degree has to
both know the game and be willing to play it.      There's many
excellent O-5's and O-6's that would never even be considered
for O-7 simply because they're too outspoken. We used to talk
about peacetime offic