Defense Sec’y Gates labels McChrystal incident ‘anomaly, not a systemic problem’ in military
By APThursday, June 24, 2010
Sec’y Gates calls McChyrstal incident an ‘anomaly’
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he considers the incident that forced the ouster of Gen. Stanley McChrystal as “an anomaly, not a systemic problem” in the U.S. military establishment.
Speaking at a Pentagon news conference, Gates he didn’t feel that McChrystal’s published criticism of civilian superiors resulted from any management breakdown or lapse at the Defense Department. Gates said, “I don’t feel so,” when asked if there had been a management failure.
President Barack Obama dismissed McChrystal as Afghanistan commander in the wake of an interview in which the general made several disparaging remarks about administration officials. Gates said Thursday that McChrystal had fought valiantly for his country, but that the change in command could not be avoided.
