Here are some things I think are critical for which I don’t see this candidate having demonstrated excellence:
- Experience leading a very large organization, with particular emphasis on ways to foster the next generation of leaders, streamline process, cut bureaucracy and implement wide-scale organization change
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and proven capacity to successfully apply strategic skills in a dynamic environment
- Experience in high level negotiations in particular when it comes to development and procurement of next generation weapons
- Deep experience in military tactics with particular emphasis on how warfare is changing in real time (Ukraine/Israel lessons). Ability to apply that knowledge to change US strategic posture accordingly
- Demonstrated leadership experience leading/coaching/training other leaders vs. individual contributors
- Proven ability to attract, retain and inspire world class talent
- The character and integrity to follow the laws of our nation, challenge illegal orders, uphold the dignity of the office and demand the same from your organization
Now maybe he has the innate capacity for these things, but his resume doesn’t show it to-date. Basically he is a wild card, which is not shocking since that is who Trump likes and that is who he attracts. There are literally thousands of people in this country that are more qualified for this job than the dude he picked.