7:4 General Stanley McChrystal Retires, 23 June 2010

Surprisingly enough, I came home tonight to find out that just up the highway, General Stanley McChrystal held his retirement ceremony on the lawns of Fort McNair, location of the National Defense University.  In a partial video of the ceremony, Secretary of Defense, Honorable Robert Gates and Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey, Jr., presided over the ceremony on a very hot Summer afternoon in Washington DC.  Fitting enough, since the Army and other branches are currently in combat abroad, General’s Casey, McChrystal and retirement personnel are uniformed in ACU’s.  Side note:  this is where I believe the Air Force should take note—the U.S. military is currently in combat abroad and should rethink their idea of “blues Monday”—just saying. 

Nevertheless, the ceremony, just like the many that I have seen was filled with speeches, applause, ceremonial functions, happiness and sadness.  Regardless of General McChrystal’s incident, a little more than a month ago, he served his nation with honor, integrity, and glory.  General Casey’s comments from the soldiers, “when you ask soldiers about Stan McChrystal, what they think, they say,” “they trust and respect him that he is truly remarkable,” “they say he is man of integrity and great personal courage.”  General Casey also comments about General McChrystal’s wife Annie—a reoccurring theme throughout the retirement: “spouses” and their courage, their devotion, and their willingness to assist with the “fight.” 

“Stan has grown so accustomed to Zulu time over the years, that when Stan finally comes home, he has Annie change all the clocks in the house to Zulu time.”  Annie has been there for what I added to be 33 years of marriage and about 3-4 years of dating—they were married as 2^nd Lt. McChrystal was assigned to his first post.  “Annie has been there, including the toughest and more important of assignments, raising an Army family.”  This is true in all branches.  The military spouse is unlike any spouse—especially in the last 10 years.  Military families have endured so much over the past 10 years—it is without a doubt and singlehandedly been the military spouse that has kept our military strong here on the homefront.  It’s no wonder that the spouse was the reoccurring theme in the retirement!  “A nation is deeply in your debt,” for the grace and resilience like so many military families separated from the military member.

“Nothing about this man can be considered ordinary,” stated Secretary Gates.  “This consummate Ranger, possessed one of the sharpest and inquisitive minds in the Army.”  General McChrystal’s look at warfare in the present day and future fights will be studied and utilized in years to come.  He has laid the groundwork for the success of the national security objectives in the warzone.  Since 9/11, “no single American has inflicted more fear and more loss of life on our country’s most vicious and violent enemies than Stan McChrystal.” 

His resignation and retirement should be a model for those that still wear the uniform.  Although such a distinguished service prior to the Rolling Stone article, men and women of our Armed Forces should be reminded that we are held to higher code, a code that those who have never worn a stitch of the military uniform and never laced a pair of combat boots will ever understand.  A code that must be adhered to no matter what the circumstance may be.  “This is frustrating, I spent a career waiting to give a retirement speech and lie about what a great soldier I was.  Then people show up that are actually there.  It proves what Doug Brown taught me long ago, nothing ruins a good war story, like an eyewitness.”  “To those here tonight who feel they need to contradict my memories with the truth, remember I was there to.  I have stories on all of you, photos on many, and I know a Rolling Stone reporter.”  That seemed to be just the jab that I expected out of General McChrystal as he began his retirement speech to those that may have stretched the truth.  “With my resignation, I left a mission that I feel strongly about.” 

“I ended a career I began over 38 years ago and I left unfulfilled commitments I made to many comrades in the fight, commitments I hold sacred.  My service did not end as I would have wished, and there are misperceptions about the loyalty and service of some dedicated professionals that will likely take some time, but I will be corrected.”

Source Story:  Pentagon News Release

Photo Source:  All Photos