Deteriorating conditions in Iraq are a consequence of "the arrogance and incompetency of the civilian leadership at the Pentagon," Sen. Chuck Hagel said Monday.

Increasing violence and instability spring from "the accumulation of a series of bad judgments," the Nebraska Republican said.

Pointing to decisions to disband the Iraqi army, dismantle the Baathist government bureaucracy and attempt to secure the country with an inadequate number of U.S. troops, Hagel suggested "the buck does stop somewhere."

Hagel's sharp words came in response to news media questioning after an appearance before about 60 eighth-grade students at St. Joseph School.

"It's always the uniformed military that has to bear the brunt of bad decisions," Hagel said. "They do the dying and the suffering," he said, and their families sacrifice, too.

Never will he utter "a criticism of the warrior," Hagel said, but the military's civilian leaders must be held accountable.

"I went through one of these wars," he said.  As a member of the Senate, he said, "I am not going to stand back and allow it to happen again."

Hagel was twice wounded as an Army sergeant in Vietnam.

"These men and women deserve leadership that is worthy of them," Hagel said. When Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld "flippantly dismisses" a young soldier's question about lack of protective armor on military vehicles in Iraq, Hagel said, "that is not worthy."

When it was discovered Rumsfeld's signature on letters of condolence to slain soldiers' families was signed by an auto-pen rather than by the secretary himself, Hagel said, "that tells me an awful lot."

Rumsfeld has said the auto-pen was used to assure the promptest possible communication with survivors, but he promised he would sign future letters personally.

The secretary's response to the  soldier's question in Iraq included the statement: "You go to war with the army you have."

Rumsfeld won a vote of confidence Monday from President Bush, who said the secretary has done "a really fine job."

As Hagel critiqued Iraqi policy decisions, Prime Minister Ayad Allawi warned of the growing danger of sectarian civil war in the wake of Sunni insurgent attacks in Shiite holy cities on Sunday.

Civil war and the possible establishment of a post-Saddam Iranian-style theocracy are among the future consequences that may be faced, Hagel said. The senator warned about such possibilities when he argued against a precipitate U.S. military attack on Iraq without broad international support and careful planning for the aftermath.

Responding to questions from students, Hagel said he believes the United States needs to seek more  international cooperation rather than simply exercise its military might.

"I would put a whole new focus on diplomacy, building coalitions of common interest," he said. "We have strayed from that very wise course."

Hagel told the students increasing deployment of a downsized military, with heavy reliance on National Guard and Reserve troops, eventually may force future consideration of a military draft.

"A moral societal concern" is also at issue, he said: "Is it fair to ask a very few people to carry all the burden, do all the dying?"

Hopefully, he said, the nation can avoid reinstituting compulsory military service.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.