He’ll retire because there is no place for him to go. He has four stars and there are no slots open for him after Centcom. He isn’t going to the Joint Chiefs, so he may as well retire.

I look for Petraeus to eventually quit the Obama administration

If properly trained and led, the military can prevent wars. Unfortunately, in the US the people at the top are elected and the military is dependent on the voters making rational decisions, which is rare and discouraged by the politicians.

The Strategic Air Command wasn’t being ironic with its motto “Peace is our Profession” and it worked throughout the Cold War period. Mutually Assured Destruction wasn’t exactly a sane concept, but it did function as advertised.

It is difficult for people to understand, but the professional soldier is the hardest to convince that a war is necessary because he/she knows on a personal level what wars really cost. The metal shipping containers covered with flags are not symbols to a veteran, they are people.

At least the worst I had to deal with was Nixon and Kissinger, Frederick. Our general officers tended to be pros with any a few exceptions, while you’re stuck with a political officer corps.

I have nothing but respect for the men and women who have to serve on current conditions, because politics within the military was not something we had to worry about – it really was never a topic of discussion, nor was religion.

Thank you.

I’m also bothered by the fact that leaders who lose wars get replaced, but nothing ever seems to happen to the leaders who lose the peace.