My weird observation of Gen. Martin E. Dempsy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

[trof]

It was a year or so ago.
I was taking some friends through the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.

As we were wandering about, looking at displays, suddenly a BIG group of officers was making their way through towards an open auditorium like area filled with Navy personnel.

Very high ranking officers.
Admirals, generals.
Whoa!
Never seen that much brass in one place, ever.

In the middle of the scrum was a 4 star general.
It was (as I later learned) Dempsey.
He reports directly to the president and the secretary of defense.

Just before they reached the auditorium area he whipped out a pocket comb and combed his hair.
He ain't got much hair, as you can see from the photo.
But he got the few strands in what to him seemed to be in proper order.


I guess it was just a personal glimpse into a very powerful man's ego?


We civilians were able to listen to his briefing.
It was about closing/downsizing bases.
Personnel were allowed to ask questions which he seemed to do his best to answer.

BTW, the museum is a must see.

[Warpy]

1. No combover, plugs or toupee mean his ego is what it should be

No one in public life wants to face a crowd and cameras looking like something the cat dragged in and refused to own up to. A quick comb of what hair he's got left was appropriate.

[trof]

3. Just struck me as odd.

That a man in his position would whip out a pocket comb.
Especially in front of a crowd of people.
I haven't used a pocket comb since I was a teenager.

[eShirl]

6. "I haven't used a pocket comb since I was a teenager."

OK now I have to ask, in order to put your observations and remarks in their subjective context: what is your adult grooming regimen?

[trof]

10. I can now 'comb' my hair with a towel.

I have a tasteful white 'fringe'.

[Octafish]

2. What was he like?

Did he make sense?

Looks like a decent sort.

Regarding the museum and NAS: Isn't that where the Banana Boats flew out from?



My late neighbor spent part of his active duty there as a member of the flight crew during the war.

[grasswire]

4. did he lick the comb? nt

[eShirl]

7. lol

[KoKo]

5. I read some reference that McCain & Graham wanted him Removed

and he suddenly is now the Obama top General?

I didn't have time to research it...so just throwing it out. Wish I'd cut & pasted to save. But, apparently he has had a big TURN AROUND.

I've seen him twice. On Bloomberg News Video promoting harsher methods in Iraq...(Boots on Ground and Forever War) where he was on a Panel with Chuck Hagel. And, today in a clip of the Congressional Hearings on the Authorization for More War where Congress is rushing to get back home for MidTerm Campaining.

He wasn't impressive either time unless one was a War Hawk from Vietnam Days. He was awful to me in both interviews. He seemed "Full of Himself" if you can understand what I mean....Thought too much of himself with smirky smile. And, if he was revived by McCain/Graham....I guess one can understand why he'd feel that way. Who are the most Preening/Self Assured Senators these days?

Anyway he was apparently put in the background but REVIVED by Obama/Kerry/Hagel as "DA GENERAL!"

[WinkyDink]

8. "Military" is all about the spit-and-polish!

[Brother Buzz]

9. I bet he didn't lick his comb before grooming

[trof]

11. When I was a kid...

And had hair

my mom used to tell me to do that.
I had a cow lick.