Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ leadership continues to stand out, especially in the context of the Bush administration. The Wichita native’s latest praise has come for his unprecedented decision to fire the Air Force secretary and chief of staff over, among other matters, last year’s flight of a B-52 carrying armed nuclear weapons from North Dakota to Louisiana. Last year, Gates rightly sacked the Army secretary over the conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Regarding the Air Force firings, the New York Times applauded “Gates’ quick and decisive action.” The Boston Globe said he’d earned his wings. The Dallas Morning News called him “Mr. Accountability,” declaring “this is the kind of leadership that the American people deserve.” Gates’ approach will be further tested as he prepares the Pentagon for the first change of presidents during wartime in 40 years.
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9 Comments
ANYTHING would be an improvement over the corruption and incompetance that have been the hallmark in the Defense Department under Rumsoaked.
It’s about time accountability returned. When I was in, it was nothing to fire commanders for not doing their jobs.
I remember one time after the Wing flunked the Operational Readiness Inspection, six full Colonels and a Brigadier General were ushered out during the night - fired.
The nuclear bomb mishandlings, fuses etc. is just alarming. Gates is doing the right thing by sending a message, do your job, do it right and double check it.
Yeah, I watched an entire chain of command get fired because they had a unit in the field drinking and hazing Marines.
The very next day they had no Plt Sgt’s, no Plt Commander, and no Company Commander.
Gone.
My Company had to fill in for their leadership until it was replaced.
I agree that Gates seems to expect the excellence we know our soldiers are capable of. They probably respect him for that. He doesn’t ask of others more than he expects of himself as far as I can tell. Accountability is good for every person in every walk of life. Good job!
Wow. what a lack of posts for such good news. It’s okay to actually congratulate someone on doing well, even if they are part of a Republican administration (even one as inept as Bush). If this is an example of solid accountability, why aren;t more pleased? hmmmm.
I would hope that the next administration, of whatever party affiliation, has the intelligence to keep Gates in place.
I remember one time …
At band camp…
” If this is an example of solid accountability, why aren;t more pleased? hmmmm.”
Perhaps because he has only scratched the tip of the iceberg? How about DIA and their BS “intelligence”?
Congratulations Robert Gates, Secretary of the Defense Department, for taking charge and holding upper echelon people responsible.
Graduate of Wichita’s East High School back in the eary 1960’s, reportedly with straight “A’s.” An Eagle Scout. His brother was reportedly principal of Wichita’s Southeast High School. Holds PhD. Career in U.S. foreign service.
A fellow who’s career we should keep our eyes on in the future.
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