What's Up With Petraeus Disrespecting a Foreign Head of Government?*

[msaroff]

Gen. David Petraeus, head of US Central Command, left, shakes hand with Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, prior to their talks at the Prime Minister's residence in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday.


General Stanley McChrystal, Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan, meets British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street, in London, on October 1, 2009

Cross posted from 40 Years in the Desert.

OK, so I'm reading an article regarding differences between the Pakistani and US Military, and I see this picture, with that caption.

What's wrong with this picture? The fact that General David Petraeus is meeting with a prime-minister of an allied country in his fatigues (I know, technically the Army Combat Uniform) at the Prime Minister's residence, not some air field named Camp Middle-of-Nowhere.

While I understand that the chain of command for the US military goes through the White House, and not the Pakistani PM's official residence, it seems to me that when one shows up at such a place, whether you civilian or military, you should wear something that involves....You know...A tie.

Notice when another 4 star General, meets another Prime Minister, one who has a lot less skin pigment, and speaks English with near native fluency, somehow or other the tie comes out

My guess is that this is not about racism, but rather about the way that Petraeus has sold himself, as America great warrior™, and he therefore wants to be seen by the press and the public as a warrior, and so he wears a "battle uniform", but that's psychoanalysis from a distance, and if you do that you become Charles Krauthammer, and I really do not want to head down that road.


^*In a parliamentary system, the PM is head of government, and a president (or monarch) is head of state. In the United States, the President is both.

[David__77]

1. I do think that a dress uniform would be most appropriate.

On the other hand, between allies, I wouldn't see a problem with dispensing with these things. But the US is not Pakistan's friend.

[virgogal]

2. Man,you're really reaching on this one. Skin pigment? Good lord.

[qazplm]

3. I think this is a bit far off

the ACU has become the primary uniform for a multitude of roles. There are many areas we used to wear more formal uniforms like the Class As or more often Class Bs (formal classes and training, official travel on airlines, etc.) that we no longer do. We've become a less formal military relegating the dress uniforms for formal ceremonies in some cases.

As a trial defense attorney, I've even done and heard of being done courts-martial outside of the combat zone in ACUs instead of As.

I dont think this makes him somehow disrespectful.

[Cleita]

4. Maybe because he's very close to a combat zone? Actually several of them.n/t

[msaroff]

5. All of South Asia is "Close to a Combat Zone"

You make an appointment with a head of government, you put on a damn tie.