Fallon quits as CentCom chief, will retire

[CommunityEditor]

An embattled Adm. William Fallon has submitted his resignation as chief of the U.S. Central Command and has requested retirement from the Navy, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced today that he has accepted that request.

Fallon, who has led the command responsible for all U.S. military operations in the Middle East since March 2007, was profiled in the current issue of Esquire magazine as an officer who challenged the Bush administration’s position on Iran.

In a Washington Post story, Fallon called the story “poison pen stuff.”

Gates said Fallon told him this morning that “the current embarrassing situation, public perception of differences between my view and administration policy, and the distraction this causes from the mission, make this the right thing to do.”

Gates told reporters at the Pentagon that he had approved Fallon’s request “with reluctance and regret.”

Fallon will be temporarily replaced March 31 by Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, Central Command deputy commander, until a permanent replacement can be nominated, Gates said.


Article: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/0...esigns_031108/

[bill_fogarty]

Wow. Regardless of what the Admiral claims, I myself would not be surprised if there was more to do with it than just the story. As the tradition of most brass, Admiral Fallon won't say anything about the 'gory' details of his disagreement of an attack on Iran...at least not until years later safe in his retirement.

Earlier, Admiral Fallon had been clear he did not support a new war against Iran. Now, it looks like POTUS will put in a CentCom that will stamp and sign any military plan for Iran attack that is handed to him.

By the way, everyone knows Wolfowitz is now back at the Pentagon, right? Funny how that works. There is talk around the blogosphere that Kagan and Keane at AEI are playing another role in activities for Pentagon planning.

In my opinion, it is even odds that Cheney and his team will be pushing hard for an attack on Iran before the end of summer. We'll see what President Bush does, and what Congress does.

[PUALLOFF]

Originally Posted by bill_fogarty

Wow. Regardless of what the Admiral claims, I myself would not be surprised if there was more to do with it than just the story. As the tradition of most brass, Admiral Fallon won't say anything about the 'gory' details of his disagreement of an attack on Iran...at least not until years later safe in his retirement.

Earlier, Admiral Fallon had been clear he did not support a new war against Iran. Now, it looks like POTUS will put in a CentCom that will stamp and sign any military plan for Iran attack that is handed to him.

By the way, everyone knows Wolfowitz is now back at the Pentagon, right? Funny how that works. There is talk around the blogosphere that Kagan and Keane at AEI are playing another role in activities for Pentagon planning.

In my opinion, it is even odds that Cheney and his team will be pushing hard for an attack on Iran before the end of summer. We'll see what President Bush does, and what Congress does.

Oh please....what an active imagination you have.

I, for one, am appalled that POTUS could have put this Al Qaedo mole into such a position of responsibility in the first place.

Now, let the games begin. We are waiting for you. The Great Satan will drown in the sweat of a thousand--nay, two thousand and possibly several more than two thousand--camels.

wait! what's this crud on my palm? Never mind, it does not invalidate my, er, valid, er, and highly moral ethical position.

[bill_fogarty]

Originally Posted by PUALLOFF

Oh please....what an active imagination you have.

Sure, some of post was a little overzealous.

But most people know that Bush and Cheney get rid of military brass that disagree with their belief and ideology. Look at what happened to Gen. Shinseki. Despite his other faults, he was 100% right on how many troops it would take to secure Iraq after the invasion. And he was essentially cut at the knees when Rumsfield announced his replacement well over a year before hand.

Same deal happened to Lawrence Lindsey who made a public statement to the Congress that it might cost $200 billion for the war. The numbers were too high for the President’s liking, so he fired the messenger. Mr. Lindsey was gone.

Read "Cobra II" if you want to see how Cheney's thinktank civilians (Wolfowitz, Feith, Cambone) who basically ran CentCom and told the Generals how military strategy would be run. It was an echo of suits with no military experience running targeting like in Vietnam days.

So, we have an Administration that fires those that express any concern that runs counter to their ideology. And yes, I really believe the ideology in this Administrations wants to start a unilateral, pre-emptive military strike against Iran. It may or may not happen. But we know the drum-beats of published articles and AEI thinktank continues on.

[alvarezjc]

I'm not going to go into the reasons behind his resignation.
However, please give the Admiral due credit. He served the DOD for over 40 years. He resigned! If possible please change the title of this thread to "Adm Fallon resigns as CentCom CDR, will retire"

He did not quit! You don’t quit after 40 years.
s/f
Sgt A

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by alvarezjc

I'm not going to go into the reasons behind his resignation.
However, please give the Admiral due credit. He served the DOD for over 40 years. He resigned! If possible please change the title of this thread to "Adm Fallon resigns as CentCom CDR, will retire"

He did not quit! You don’t quit after 40 years.
s/f
Sgt A

A more accurate title would be: "Adm. Fallon is forced to retire for telling the truth", which is something that Bush and Co. consider high treason.

[alvarezjc]

Originally Posted by Rasputin

A more accurate title would be: "Adm. Fallon is forced to retire for telling the truth", which is something that Bush and Co. consider high treason.

No. I do believe the SECDEF when he says this was Adm Fallon’s decision. When put into a position like that you serve at the pleasure of the President. You must be very political; even when it is against our nature as Military men. You should be able to discuss your ideas with the Joint Chiefs, SECDEF, and the President. These discussions should be private not public. I’m not saying he should not do interviews…just make sure your words can’t be twisted. His words were twisted to make it look like he was totally against the ideas of the Administration. Not a good place to be. Just my 2 cents.
s/f
Sgt A

[TJMAC77SP]

While not agreeing that Fallon should have been 'forced' to retire I would like to remind you all of a piece of history.

Major General Jack Singlaub and President Carter

(I bet you thought I was going to go back to Truman and MacArthur)

[FINKD]

His retirement is the result of politics played a the highest levels of the military and the government.