Detailed administration has always been down to the director-generals and their staff running the various ministries.

ECONOMIST: Letters

He disregarded warnings from the national security adviser during the first Gulf War, the chief of staff of the army, two former commanding generals of the Central Command, whose jurisdiction includes Iraq, the director of operations on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and many, many others with great integrity and long experience in national security affairs.

CNN: Transcript: Webb says Bush took U.S. to war 'recklessly'

His starting point is General George Marshall, the Army chief of staff during the Second World War, who culled underperforming generals and promoted the better ones, constructing a ruthlessly efficient fighting force.

NEWYORKER: General Principles