Battalion command is one of the most sought-after leadership positions in the U.S. Army, but senior officers today often turn down the opportunity to command and pursue less stressful and more stable staff positions. Because battalion command comes near the twenty-year mark of a career, some choose to retire rather than pursue command.

Approximately 1,000 U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonels are assessed for command competency each year and 80-85% pass. Of those selected for battalion command, typically 40% turn it down. That number increased to nearly 55% over the past four years.

Typical reasons for turning down command are family concerns, health, lack of interest in command, or concerns about workload. Though it remains unclear why there is a spike in the number of officers turning down command, sources have attributed the decline to the lack of competent senior leadership over the last four years, the increase in irrelevant, non-warfighting-focused training, and "woke" policies driving advancement based on policies that are not merit-based.

Some sources stated they did not want to command because they refused to give illegal or unconstitutional orders.