Currently the count is 45.
I’ve pinged most of the people who have posted on this thread.
Nachum – Kudos for tracking this. I have a couple observations so far.
Many of the folks on this list deserve to be cashiered. Before the Internet, they would have quietly left the service after having been caught.
A bunch on this list are fine leaders and their departure is very questionable and problematic.
All services are represented, but there seems to be a lot of Navy. Maybe that has something to do with our new national strategy to ‘pivot’ to the Pacific? That’s a place where naval officers have reigned since WWII. Maybe some housekeeping for the new ‘focus’?
As for whether this is the norm or not, I think it’s above average. POTUS has had FIVE different commanders in Afghanistan and he’ll have at least one or two more. That’s excessive and NOT normal during wartime.
#13 – Hoss Cartwright has been retired for a couple years. The news there is that he was recently investigated for leaking the Stuxnet virus info. He was a previous guy at USSTRATCOM (i.e. nuclear forces). He hasn’t been cashiered, but he’s been neutered by taking his security clearance.
#21 – Alexander has been at NSA/Cybercom (he wears two hats) for almost twice the average tenure of his predecessors. It’s beyond time for him to go. I didn’t think he’d leave until he made Field Marshall – he’s very smart and very ambitious. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him, though he’ll be working behind the scenes with all the info he has. Quite the chess player.
#22 – Inglis is NOT a military officer. He’s a government civilian employee. He’s been Alexander’s #2 for a long time and Alexander has coattails. His departure is not surprising.
What may be just as interesting as a list of those departing is a list of those who are rising. Have a look to the generals and admirals that are being promoted, and to what positions, for insight into the chosen ones.
FReegards,
Kit