By SSG Rich Stowell
Robert Gates made history in his tenure as Secretary of Defense. He was the only SecDef to ever span a transition of presidential power, and a change of political party, to add to the drama.
But were it not for that remarkable fact, he would still go down in history as one of the most consequential, if not effective, secretaries of defense or war in the nation's history. He presided over a Defense Department during a momentous time in history, and he excelled, according even to the very cynical.
He tried to take on the bureaucracy. Gates jokingly complains often about the inefficiency of the Defense Department, noting that it was not well-suited to wage war. But some of his battles were no laughing matters, like his efforts to get MRAP fielded quickly in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following the normal procurement process would have ensured that service members in the war zones would have never seen mine-resistant vehicles, but Gates made it his priority.
Robert Gates made history in his tenure as Secretary of Defense. He was the only SecDef to ever span a transition of presidential power, and a change of political party, to add to the drama.
But were it not for that remarkable fact, he would still go down in history as one of the most consequential, if not effective, secretaries of defense or war in the nation's history. He presided over a Defense Department during a momentous time in history, and he excelled, according even to the very cynical.
I have been listening to the audio version of Gates's memoir, Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War. It is long, and dense-- a history of our two long, contemporary wars as well as a personal biography of Gates's time at the Pentagon-- but it is fascinating and thoughtful. And sometimes a bit salty.
That's why Duty is something U.S. Soldiers ought to read (or listen to): It is a textbook on the wars we are fighting, and it is candid about how we are fighting them.
Memoir titles are too often short, sterile, and vague (My Life, Known and Unknown, Decision Points, My American Journey). Gates's chose "duty," I am sure, to describe his motivation to take on a job that he admits he never really liked.
Memoir titles are too often short, sterile, and vague (My Life, Known and Unknown, Decision Points, My American Journey). Gates's chose "duty," I am sure, to describe his motivation to take on a job that he admits he never really liked.
When George W. Bush began exploring the possibility of him as SecDef, Gates had already turned down the invitation to serve as the nation's first Director of National Intelligence. So this was a man who wasn't cravenly ambitious.
Nevertheless, when Pres. Bush asked him to take the post at the Pentagon in 2006, Gates couldn't decline. He was serving as president of Texas A&M University, and was moved by a sense of obligation to help the young men and women in the military, much as he was helping the young men and women attending his school:
Nevertheless, when Pres. Bush asked him to take the post at the Pentagon in 2006, Gates couldn't decline. He was serving as president of Texas A&M University, and was moved by a sense of obligation to help the young men and women in the military, much as he was helping the young men and women attending his school:
"We have kids dying in two wars. If the president thinks I can help, I have no choice but to say 'yes.' It is my duty. The troops out there are doing their duty, how can I not do mine?"Many things make Duty a powerful read, not the least of which is the example of the man who wrote it. Gates is an example of selfless civilian leader, one that Soldiers would well emulate:
He admits to failure. Several examples mark the tenure of Gates at the Pentagon of his shortcomings, like his inability to smooth over the finer strategy with White House officials over Afghanistan. He regrets the acrimony that developed in the aftermath of the process.
He was willing to be honest with his bosses. When candidate Obama asked him to stay on as secretary, Gates agreed. If he ever disagreed he would not speak out against the administration publicly as SecDef. He told Obama:
"I will give you my best and most candid advice. Should you decide on another path, I will either support you or leave. I will not be disloyal."He wasn't satisfied with the status quo. Gates relieved GEN David McKeirnan of command of ISAF in 2009. It was the first relief of a wartime general since MacArthur was fired by Pres. Truman in 1951. The secretary thought that "fresh thinking" was needed when the a new Afghanistan strategy was adopted.
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| U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates speaks with U.S. Army Sgt. Steve Dawson after presenting him with a Purple Heart at Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, March 7, 2011. Gates' affection and respect for U.S. military service members comes through in the pages of Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War. (U.S. Department of Defense photo by Cherie Cullen) |
He always put warriors first. The MRAP initiative was an example of his love and service on behalf of troops. In 2007, Gates was outraged by the neglect at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He fired the center's commander, his successor, and the secretary of the Army. Such a shake up was warranted because men and women who had fought for their country deserved better. He took similar challenges with the Veterans Administration.
When Gates retired in July, 2011, he left Washington D.C. for Washington state to lead a quiet life. He had done his duty, and exited gracefully.
But his book will remain a reminder of the difficulties facing our military during wartime, and the challenges of leadership at any level.
When Gates retired in July, 2011, he left Washington D.C. for Washington state to lead a quiet life. He had done his duty, and exited gracefully.
But his book will remain a reminder of the difficulties facing our military during wartime, and the challenges of leadership at any level.
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