GEN Austin Will Make a Fine Defense Secretary
Over the course of the 30 years I spent in uniform, I had countless discussions with fellow soldiers about Secretaries of Defense and whether or not they should be pure civilians or former military officers. So, I found the debate concerning General Austin’s nomination to be SecDef of great interest. Now that he’s been confirmed with a waiver, I figured I would share some of my thoughts on the subject.
First, I should say upfront that I was in favor of his nomination and confirmation, and here’s why. From the soldier’s point of view, he knows us. He gets us. He’s walked the same ground and lived the same life. He understands the unique challenges that come with military life, for service members and their families, and he most assuredly has some empathy for the realities they face in the service of their country.
Now, I understand why there is a requirement for former military members to be out of uniform for a minimum of seven years before becoming Secretary of Defense (General Austin retired just over four years ago). The waiting period is based in the concept of civilian control of the military and the thought process is along the lines of a fear that a former military man or woman not too far removed from service might lean toward current generals when it comes to decisions about funding, resources and policy. In short, it could appear like the Secretary of Defense is still in uniform. Waiting a set period of time, like seven years, allows for some distance to be created between the former service member and those still actively involved in military service.
For General Austin, Congress waived the waiting period and we’re all better off for it. Of course, being fresh off of active duty will result in a familiarity with current military leadership that would lessen over time, but familiarity can be a good thing. That familiarity is based in experience, in General Austin’s case, as a graduate of West Point who served on the Joint Staff and as a strategic thinker and former CENTCOM Commander who is deeply skilled and proficient in not just warfighting, but in all aspects of US policy. No one can doubt his qualifications or his devotion to his country.
I worked for a good number of generals over the course of my career, some good and some not so good. And I’m not necessarily talking about whether they were good generals. There are many leadership styles and techniques for managing people and organizations. Some of the generals I worked for were great bosses and some were not. But they were all leaders who had risen through the ranks by virtue of their ability to solve problems and formulate teams to accomplish the missions they were given. I don’t know General Austin personally and never worked for him, but I’m absolutely positive that he embodies the same qualities I observed in all the flag officers I got to know during three decades in uniform—hard working professionals who care deeply about the people who work for them, their families, and the safety and security of the American people. I’ve worked for generals in cushy headquarters like the Pentagon, and in areas that would be considered to be the forward edge of the spear—in Europe, for example, where the Russian threat seemed all too real. All of them worked tirelessly, put their hearts and souls into what they were charged with doing, and took their missions very seriously, no matter how many hours a day it took.
General Austin will be no different in his capacity as Secretary of Defense. Since his college days at the US Military Academy, he has been groomed to be a leader, able to handle tremendous responsibilities and complex issues while taking care of the men and women in his charge. And, not to take away anything from the many pure civilians who would be qualified to do the job, I feel more at peace knowing that a guy who spent decades in uniform, dedicating himself to his country, is in charge.
Greg Reeson is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who has served as a strategic planner around the world, including at the Pentagon and in Europe, and who writes at thedemocraticrealist.com.
