"The biggest problem was the politicians knew nothing about fighting a war"

This quote by R. Lee Ermey talks to the absence of knowledge and experience that politicians have when it comes to war. Ermey is recommending that the greatest problem in war is that politicians are not fluent in the methods and techniques of warfare. They do not have the experience and know-how to make informed decisions about how to best battle a war. This absence of knowledge can cause costly mistakes and mistakes that can have disastrous effects. Ermey's quote is a suggestion that politicians need to not be making choices about war without the proper understanding and experience. It is important that those in charge of making decisions about war have the needed knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of warfare.