Driving a desk
Pejorative term for administrative work done by a military officer from the comfort and safety of headquarters, rather than out in the field where the real danger lies.
To say that Ritter was amazed didn't begin to explain matters. This guy was supposed to be a professional military officer. The taking of human life was part of his job description. Of course, Ritter told himself, Cutter'd spent most of his career driving a desk in the Pentagon - he probably hadn't seen much blood since he learned how to shave. (Clear and Present Danger, by Tom Clancy)