Interesting note from Tom Ricks about how “so many eligible Air Force colonels were declining to be considered for command that the Air Force chief, Norton Schwartz, issued a letter in 2009 saying that henceforth everyone would be considered.” Being a commander is a tough job, to be sure, but it’s also a prerequisite to getting a star. I have no special insight into the reason behind the problem, but it may be because by the time you’ve made O-6, you probably know whether you still have a chance to be a General. If you don’t, why put yourself through the heartache of being a commander?
