<p>Food for thought:</p>
<p>People in the know:
LTG Cushman
shogun
davygravy3
deepdraft1</p>
<p>more food for thought..
<a href="http://www.afji.com/2007/05/2635198%5B/url%5D">http://www.afji.com/2007/05/2635198</a></p>
<p>During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army lost large numbers of captains who resigned their commissions after long and repeated combat deployments. The same worrying trend is being seen again in Iraq.</p>
<p>In response, the Army is preparing hefty bonuses to entice captains to stay on active duty. Captains essentially the junior executives of the Army often command companies of about 120 soldiers. They account for the single-largest group of officers in the Army.</p>
<p>Capt. Carl Chaker, a 27-year-old West Point graduate, has done two tours in Iraq. When he and many of his fellow captains talk about their futures, they see only more time in Iraq. </p>
<p>"A large percentage of them have decided to get out," Chaker said. "It's mostly the repeated deployments. They say at the end of six years, half of their careers ... (have been spent) in Iraq. They're behind creating a life at home."</p>
<p>Speaking of Generals, </p>
<p>I was in a meeting last week in the five sided puzzle palace with eight General Officers -- six of them were women.</p>
<p>As the father of two daughters, (and one son) I think that is way cool.</p>
<p>"...five sided puzzle palace..." clever.<br>
Has the climate changed with the new Secretary of Defense?
usna09mom</p>
<p>The Pentagon has been called the Puzzle Palace for decades. It's a good description, no matter who is in charge.</p>
<p>ETA: ...and IIRC, so has the NSA, and with REALLY good reason!</p>