We're Taking Over

Pace isn't a Navy guy?

Ed, why not ask GEN Pace if he's Navy? LOL!

Bull Nav, the Flight Deck, Lex's red-haired step-child, had the word a few minutes in advance of Lex, hisself. The power of the cell phone!

I'm sure we all wish the admiral well. He's quite a gentleman and a warrior.

SJBill

Come on Ed! Pace is a Marine! Jeez!

Next CNO.........Leaning strongly toward ADM. Roughead right now.

Ed - BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's too funny!!!!!!!
Go ahead, ask him. Ask LTCOL P or Slab...

A couple of points

Gates may have wanted to avoid a contentious confirmation hearing-but I think they will get one anyway. The Senate has to keep the pressure on the President and this is a great way to do that. Mullen is certainly up to the test-but I feel bad for Pace. All he did was do what he was ordered to do.

Mullen leaving is the Navy's loss. The Navy really does not need the political infighting right now in determining his successor. Plus Mullen was not finished undoing the dmage Clark did. Two more years we might have had a normal Navy again.
( MCPON is doing a good job undoing HIS predecessor's bad ideas too).

I personally hope that it is Stufflebeam-but I don't think it will be. Keating would be a good choice.

Anbody but Willard.

General Pace was, almost from the beginning, damned if he did and damned if he didn't. His grace under fire should be an example to all who command, in all branches of the Military.

I am unfamiliar with Admiral Mullen, but I do think that Admirl Keating would make a very fine head of the Navy. This is based on his service at NORAD, and his dealings with the Loons in office in Ottawa. I very much admired his, and the President's, dealings with successive governments up here concerning the ludicrous idea that Canada, all of a sudden, didn't like so many fly overs of our "sovereign" air space. Just who was going to compensate for the protection of said space should both the U.S. Air Force and NORAD cease to do so was never made clear, but I admired Admiral Keating immensely for pointing out the obvious.

For whatever it's worth, I still feel that General Pace served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with distinction and honour and only hope that his successor follows suit. It's now become an almost thankless position, thanks to the so-called "liberal minded". (s-i-g-h)

Veritas et Fidelis Semper

While not a defender of the "liberal minded", let's be frank... working for Rumsfeld was not one of the easiest jobs out there. "No" and "hey, let's try another way" were simply not answers tolerated by that man. It was his way or the highway.

Also hearing Roughead has the inside track - and follows the CFFC/C2F path to CNO meme... Personally would have liked Keating too, but having just taken over PACOM I don't think that will happen. Dark horse - Stavridis (SOUTHCOM).
- SJS

In my readings coming from a variety of news reports:

I am led to understand that the "contention" regarding Pace's past is his unwavering dedication to support the Secretary of Defense. But Mullen is being selected 'because' he is expected to support the Secretary of Defense.

Think about this a sec... Has Pace every been accused on not supporting the new SecDef?

It sounds to me like this is a message (maybe political reprimand) for those supporting SecDef Rumsfeldt's policies more than it is about being qualified for the job. Because nobody has ever claimed that Pace isn't qualified for the job.

Methinks there are too many blue water types when we are involved in two land based conflicts.

Will senior naval officers be able to adapt to 4th generation warfare?

My. The Wall Street Journal is not taking this well at all:
General Retreat Secretary of Defense Levin picks a new war leader.

Bull - are you going to tell us your pick?

Ed - I concur with WSJ, I'm pretty pi55ed too.

Anthony - The Navy is running this now, just stay out of the way, Army boy! LOL!!

Maggie - sorry, off the computer for a couple of days...
Anyway, I think I would like to see ADM Keating as CNO, but I don't think that will happen (see SJS' comment above). ADM Roughead is a well-known name, but I can't help but wonder if Nathman has a chance...

Maggie,
Surely you jest! When the Navy realizes they can't handle the situation, (dirt, sand, noise, CQB, work day that goes past 1630, etc.) we in the Army and my fellow ground pounders in the USMC will be standing by for the call to clean things up...

Anthony - my question is this:

When will the Army 4-stars adapt to 4GW?

Bull,
All joking aside, we're asking ourselves the same question. Did you happen to read the article by LTC Paul Yingling in last months Armed Forces Journal? It calls into question the methodology behind the selection of officers for flag rank.

Bull - You are forgiven, I can never stay mad at sailors......they are my weakness. I ambushed the new CO of the USS Constitution this weekend, I was trying to get a spot on the July 4th cruise. LOL

Anthony - Hold your breath, baby!