Armchair general

For the magazine, see Armchair General (magazine).

In unofficial military terminology, an armchair general is a somewhat derogatory term used in both the military, politics and the media to describe a member of the military in a high-ranking position whose position is more bureaucratic than functional; and whose position or rank may have been obtained in the absence of combative effort. Such an individual often possesses little combat or warfare experience if any but holds a great degree of authority over soldiers or commanders that do. The term applies to Generals or Admirals; often a great number of whom never served in combat at all yet have attained high rank and carry out their duties in offices with significant staff, funding and paperwork. However the term need not apply solely to those with the rank of General or Admiral and is a popular term often used among enlisted personnel and the media to describe high-ranking officers whose rank affords them superior privileges and especially those whose education or background comes from military academies and prior universities or those with privileged or wealthy families.

Origin

In 1967, New York Times correspondent Max Frankel wrote: "In most wars, the armchairs are full of generals refighting every battle."

Examples

• Dwight D. Eisenhower who had enlisted in 1911 was assigned to the Army War College and graduated in 1928 never served in combat, even during World War I holding mostly staff positions afterwards. During World War II he had risen up ranks and became Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force

• George Marshall Once noted as the "organizer of victory" by Winston Churchill for his leadership of the Allied victory in World War II despite having never led troops into combat during either World Wars.

• The Joint Chiefs of Staff regardless of whether its members served in combat (said events may have occurred decades ago) are often seen as tedious bureaucrats. Given their duties as administrative and largely carried out at the Pentagon.