I have been watching a lot of war movies lately and it has struck me that since the Spanish-American War most officers above the rank of capt spend their time away from the front lines and their troops. I am currently watching Gettysburg (again) and if you have seen it you will notice that all of the officers including generals are at the front lines with their men. It has always been the officers that have led their men all the way back to Washington, Napoleon, Grant and Lee etc. After the Spanish/American war however the more rank you got the further removed you were from actual combat. No there are a handful of generals and other officers that were with the troops but as a whole they seem to have disappeared. Today's army is even worse to an extent. You will only see a general at a change of command ceremony or a review of the troops. This trend has hit the army of all countries so it must be correct. Apparently you can "lead from behind". Has anyone else noticed this?
