Speaking at the Naval Academy last night, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates told the midshipmen there would come a time in their careers when bucking authority will be necessary.
Shannon Lee Zirkle — The Capital
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, left, reviews a dress parade at the Naval Academy Wednesday. Gates spent much of the day at the academy and led two classes, one on American diplomacy, and another on the employment of military power. He had lunch in the mess hall with the midshipmen.
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates reviews a dress parade on Worden Field at the United States Naval Academy.
"Mark my words, the time will come for each of you when you must stand alone and make an unpopular decision," said Gates, who as secretary of defense and a career Central Intelligence Agency employee and director has served under eight presidents.
He told the 4,400-member Brigade of Midshipmen that good leaders "create a climate that encourages candor among subordinates." Gates, speaking as part of the academy's Forrestal...
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Nathan - 2010-04-08 22:46:54
For the life of me, I don't see why any young man would "smoke" anything but a cigarette in "today's" world.
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laurence sackman - , - Karma: Neutral
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How about... - 2010-04-08 20:21:19
General John Sheehan's comments about homosexuals in the military? Would Gates include him among those who defy authority when needed? The Crapital quotes one midshipman - a woman. How politically correct. For the life of me, I don't see why any young men would want to be part of "today's" armed forces.
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