The writer makes a number of points.....but I don't think changing the 20 year retirement will be as great as he thinks it will.
It is interesting to read the first chapter of Mahan's Out-Post book (1861). Long title "An Elementary Treatise on Advanced-Guard, Out-Post, and Detachment Service of Troops, and the Manner of Posting and Handling Them in Presence of an Enemy.
The first sentence basically says if you don't know the history of your profession you will endlessly waste you mental powers in rediscovering methods that you should have known - the wheel has turned and that stupid idea that didn't work the last time has been dreamed up again by the next "good idea fairy".
An interesting piece on Mahan
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/o...s/9/essay1.pdf