Inside the Life of a Four-Star General

Retired Marine Corps General and former commander of United States Central Command, Frank McKenzie has an insightful interview with host, Tad Schnaufer, PhD, as they delve into the life of a four-star general. From daily routines to pivotal decisions shaping the U.S. military, General McKenzie offers a unique insight into the realities and responsibilities of his former role. Listen in on their discussion on leadership and strategic decision-making at the highest levels of the U.S. Military.

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[apotropaic]

Worked at Central Command under General McKenzie. Great commander.

[toddlee]

Fascinating talk. I gained a lot of insight about what a combatant commanders role actually is. Thanks for sharing this very informative meeting.

[DW-wfti]

Really enjoyed this interview. Very insightful for how US foreign policy works and the pol/mil bridge at the strategic level.

I like how it literally focused on what occupies the officer’s time on a daily basis, and didn’t really get into policy. Different and insightful

[willemsleveille]

Finally something informative on a Four Star General

[zoe-bw]

Great interview! Great insight into life was on offer listening to the General!

[devines]

I only served one enlistment in the marine corps as a grunt. But the following sentiment is shared amongst most marines/soldiers I've encountered over the years. McKenzie sounds so disconnected from the reality of enlisted marines at the company level. Maybe the questions weren't comprehensive enough. For example, at 21:38 he begins talking about how the soldier and marine don't respond to blank orders. This was not even close to my experience or the experience of those I served with. Every inquiry into an order given was almost immediately shut down. On the rare occasions we did receive an answer it would be something along the lines of "I don't know why, but we have to do it." I understand that there are times when orders must be immediately adhered to in order to save lives and manage risk. But there was always a palpable element of confusion within the company. So I wonder how this disconnect occurred from McKenzie down to the lower enlisted ranks.

[GentlemanJack]

Interesting interview. I disagree with his statement about their being no politics with achieving flag officer rank. Every single company grade officer that I interacted with and knew who made general were bucking for it as Lieutenants. Most who were that way DIDN"T make it but ALL who did make it planned it. Also, the "advice" he gave out for junior officers is the same baloney they told me decades ago. Other than that, good interview.

[scotthill]

Excellent interview! I learned so much from this video. The only thing I wish would have been covered was the interaction between a Regional Command and a Global Command. Thank you for the Video.

[melkamwubie]

Interesting and informative. Thank You Gentlemen.

[AMZ]

I admire any military leader who doesn’t sound like they are reading from a script focusing on talking points and keywords.

He did a good job of explaining rank, function, and roles. Depending on command type a 1 star may play a bigger role and have more influence than a 2 star. Basically not every rank carries a command.

[KidnapSix]

This is actually super informative. Thank you for this video. As a veteran myself its usual to know you are taking orders from your higher ups in the military. But to see a what its like being a 4 Star General after devoting their lives to the military. Now taking orders from civilians that are elected or appointed officials who probably haven't spent a second in the military. I Imagine it can be sort of tongue biting at times and a lot of eye rolling. But that's how our republic works I guess. You can make a career in politics from nothing but a degree. And now you know how to dictate a geopolitical climate.

At least one thing the Romans did right In my opinion was that it was beneficial for leaders to have military service and command. How can you command anything without experience of doing it. This country lacks that.

PS in Marine Corps bootcamp as we were screaming off knowledge in 2009. I remember the name McKenzie being mentioned.

[tigertiger]

Man the US / NATO are developing the most competent and professional militaries and officers humanity has ever seen…

[ajdutari]

This interview serves as an invaluable learning opportunity on the subject of effective leadership.

[AshleyMarks-]

If anything, the GO/FOs I have met and worked for both in an operational unit and in the front office lack a self awareness that most other officers have. They have lost any reasonable grip on how to talk to people and what their words will result in as those words trickle down to their staff and sub units. They are lost in the front office bubble. They often become dependent on their staff for almost all of daily life. They become dependent because they allow it and like the power that comes with it. They fully succumb to the privileges of their office. The hubris is stunning. Every one of them needs a red team to stand there and say, “really?”

[PetsNPatients]

Very logical! Thank you for your service, Sir!

[bustedupgrunt]

Up thru Colonel or Navy Captain, one gets "Promoted" based on greatly exceeding standards of performance above peers on a wide range of ever-increasing responsibility duty assignments. But after that, to make the Stars, one must be "Invited to that club". Then, your life and schedule is not decided by you. Like the 4PM call, .... "be on the other side of the country tomorrow morning at X, for Y, until Z or when directed".

[maxpower]

Wow, I learned a lot from this video. Thanks.

[CarmenRBuss]

Thank you for your service.God bless you.

[CallsItLikeISeizeIts]

The service component commands (army central for example) make sure COCOMS don’t abuse their assets, I.e. those service members who are “loaned” to the CCOM on a temporary basis. One thing I learned at the PNT was that while they may have stars, some of them are functional morons, who, were it not for their staffs, would be far more detrimental to thier service than they already were. To sum it up, imagine the commander of the 82d Airborne asking” does anyone know why we have parachutes?”. Thats an example of some of the stupidity that I have heard come out of some stars mouths🤔

[donkemp]

The Army has more 4 star generals today than Army + Air Corps combined in WWII; troops are a small fraction today of those serving in WWII. Seems like job creep to me.