Gen. McChrystal leaves the Army after 3 decades of service

McChrystal officially retires

WASHINGTON — Gen. Stanley McChrystal is ending his 34-year Army career in a retirement ceremony at his military headquarters here.

His Friday retirement marks the last chapter of his swift and stunning fall from grace.

McChrystal was commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and inspired intense loyalty among many of those who served under him. He was fired last month after Rolling Stone magazine published an article quoting scathing remarks he and his aides made about their civilian bosses.

An aide close to the general, Col. Charles Flynn, says McChrystal has not made any employment decisions and plans to live in the northern Virginia area.