Recently in Army Times

I've decided to start looking at Army Times from time to time. In December the Community Editor posted this question for an online discussion:

What does your new boss need to know about his Army?

Gen. George Casey has been nominated as the 36th Army chief of staff and is expected to take office by April 10, 2007. Casey's experience includes the head of the Multi-National Force-Iraq since 2004, director of the Joint Staff and 30 months in Iraq overseeing ground forces. Prior to deployment to Iraq, he served as vice chief of staff for thirteen months.

If you were Casey, what would be your first order of business? Your second? Your third?


Here's the first response:

[1] "Mr. President, I intend to win the war in Iraq. However, you need to tell me exactly how you define "win"."

[2]"Mr. President, thank you for the definitions which you provided last week. Here is the list of the requirements that will have to be met in order that I can comply with your definition of "win". I have released them to the press. When can I expect to receive them?"

[3]"Mr. President, since you have informed me that you have no intention of providing the required means to achieve your definition of "win" in Iraq, I must, most reluctantly, tender my resignation. Oh yes, and here are the resignations of the remainder of the Chiefs of Staff as well as the resignations of the 30 most senior officers in each service of the US military. I have informed the press of these resignations."