Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

DePuy on why that colonel should stay in

About a year ago, one of the fine readers of this blog suggested I read Gen. William DePuy’s official oral history. Over the weekend I finally did, and was surprised to see it conclude with these words that I think speak to our colonel who is considering declining command: "My experience and opinion, particularly after ...

U.S. Army / http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosnormandie/374549560/sizes/l/in/set-72157611749224223/
U.S. Army / http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosnormandie/374549560/sizes/l/in/set-72157611749224223/
U.S. Army / http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosnormandie/374549560/sizes/l/in/set-72157611749224223/

About a year ago, one of the fine readers of this blog suggested I read Gen. William DePuy's official oral history. Over the weekend I finally did, and was surprised to see it conclude with these words that I think speak to our colonel who is considering declining command:

About a year ago, one of the fine readers of this blog suggested I read Gen. William DePuy’s official oral history. Over the weekend I finally did, and was surprised to see it conclude with these words that I think speak to our colonel who is considering declining command:

"My experience and opinion, particularly after observing the great American industrial establishment at close hand, is that there are more degrees of freedom in a military career that one could find outside with rare exceptions. … My advice to the serving officer is to think long and hard before jumping into the ‘greener pastures’ on the other side of the fence. You are now in the most productive years of your life in the most important business in the country, and you will find few opportunities on the outside to match those which you take for granted in the Army."

Of course, DePuy didn’t have the usual career. He began World War II as a green lieutenant, commanded a battalion in major combat at 25, and finished the war as the operations officer of a division. Along the way he received three Silver Stars and a Distinguished Service Cross. Later on he became a four-star general. 

Meanwhile, in other 0-6 career news, the Air Force bounced a colonel commanding a wing for exhibiting undue favoritism toward a female lieutenant colonel. What a great pick-up line: "Hey, baby, wanna see me exhibit undue favoritism tonight?"

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

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