Jabberwock: I so totally agree Education is fundamental to success in any arena, and the military is no exception. There is a reason many great generals have graduated from West Point.

Of course, the flip side is education isn't everything Just one of the key components...

As all have said, leadership, theory, competence, decisiveness, education, and coolness under fire... all these things make a general 'a winner'.

Another aspect which is not in MTW but is astoundingly important to battlefield success is training. A well trained army can make up for many many other deficiencies. A general and his staff can have a beneficial effect on this, or a deleterious effect. But the general is the one setting the tone.