What will happen to General McCrystal next?
Asked by
ETpro (
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)
June 23rd, 2010
By now, we all know the outcome of the snarky comments made by General Stanley A. McCrystal and senior members of his staff to reporter Michael Hastings of RollingStone, documented in The Runaway General. General McCrystal has been relieved of his command. But what happens to him due to that?
I know that a court martial is a possibility. Making disparaging remarks about and name-calling toward senior members of the civilian command is a direct violation of the UCMJ. But assuming a court martial doesn’t come to pass, what does “resignation” and “relieved of command” mean in regards to a general officer in the US military. Does Stanley McCrystal’s military career end post-haste, or does he get reassigned to some other duty and retire in due course?
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22 Answers
I don’t think he will face a Court Martial. I think he will resign his commission, and join a think-tank where he can make some real money. He has a considerable intellect, and may now have really incorporated the dangers of hubris into his learning.
He is likely to be forced into retirement. It is definitely the end of his career.
I agree – I think he will retire and either write books, speak or join a think tank or large corporation.
@dpworkin That’s true. He is a fast study and having come from covert ops is just learning the power of the pen. @marinelife & @janbb Thanks.
He’ll retire, write a book and raise hell on the lecture circuit.
Don’t forget membership on multiple corporate boards.
This situation was under my radar until this evening. Already on page one of the article, I am thinking: what the hell was he on when he gave a Rolling Stone reporter (Rolling Stone!?) apparent carte blanche “on the record”-ness for all his venting with his staff?
I imagine he’ll get a book deal and spend the rest of the decade on Fox News pontificating.
Nobody looks good coming out that article (incl. Rolling Stone), with the exception of the “common” troops.
Thanks all. I’m guessing a book is for sure. He can have his pick of cushy corporate management slots, Fox commentator as @Mamradpivo suggests, or or the next miricale worker for the GOP as @zenele notes.
He’ll spend the rest of his years wondering what would have possessed him to think that telling stuff on the record to a reporter would not come out in print…
@papayalily I had to womder. I realize he is rather new to the political rough and tumble; but he’s presumably a bright guy. No attempt to blame the reporter here, but my first reaction was the same as that of @hiphiphopflipflapflop. RollingStone! What did he “think” was going to happen when that went to press?
@ETpro I know! And from what I’ve heard (which isn’t as much as others) he invited the reporter to hang around for the purpose of doing an article. I mean, the only “rational” explanation is that he’s secretly a severe masochist with a career death wish…
@zenele The welcome might be dampened by his revelation that he voted for Obama. Ooops.
@zenele He doesn’t seem to like the limelight
@hiphiphopflipflapflop Yeah, I’m gonna agree with you on that. Who chooses Bud Light Lime? It’s not like bars are going “we only have room for one beer on tap, what shall it be? Bud? Bud Light? No, Bud Light Lime.”
He is a respected general despite his verbal gaffs. He will probably resign in the near future and then there are a variety of options open to him. Fox News would lay out a red carpet for him as long as he spouted anti Obama one liners.
He is a liberal who voted for Obama and would not allow Fox News to be watched in his command headquarters.
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