Admiral Fallon Steps Down

Posted By Blackfive

...Wolf's sources, for months now, have said that this was coming, not for disagreements with the administration about a looming war with Iran, but for some other internal "issues" that have nothing to do with policy or the administration.  His replacement has been considered for some time now. 

The media is speculating that this is another case of Shinseki-izing - the Bush administration getting rid of another dissenter.  They are wrong.

Also, consider the impending testimony of General Petraeus.  Can you say new CENTCOM Commander?  Timing, as they say, is everything.

At this point, that's all I'm gonna say.

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This post will grow as the day goes on. Don't forget to check back later. Worth knowing about today: Blackfive: Admiral Fallon Steps Down In Havana, A Page From McCain's Past Porkutopia: All three presidential candidates to sponsor moratorium on pork T... [Read More]

Comments

[FbL]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,336849,00.html

Fallon claimed ongoing misperceptions about differences between his ideas and U.S. policy are making it too difficult for him to operate, Gates said, agreeing. He added that the differences are not extreme, but the misperception had become too great.

Anybody know if that is anything more than spin?

[The Wolf]

Spin, at this point. Will be interesting to see how some other 'viewpoints' weigh in. Watch the NYT- compare Fox/CNN to whatever NYT posts.

Interesting. And as far as Dempsey filling that slot permanently, don't think so. Although he'd be great, I think he's far too junior, unless WH wants to make a statement...

-Wolf

[Gryph]

"Gates said he will be replaced by Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, his deputy, who commanded an Army division in Iraq in the early days of the war and led efforts to train the Iraqi military."

Doesn't sound like its going to be Petreus. And given how poorly the training of Iraqi military training was conducted in the beginning of the war it Dempsey doesn't sound too promising.

[free0352]

Lets all email the White House and ask that Gen James Mattis be the new CENTCOM *hope I hope I hope*

[The Wolf]

Recommend y'all read the comments section in the Ace of Spades trackback, below...

Interesting parallels between Fallon and a certain Wesley Clark...

-Wolf

[Mobius]

I thought Fallon was an interesting choice when I heard of his appointment. I was leery because he received his stars under Clinton. Of course, Clinton politicized the promotion process during his tenure. Almost every flag officer appointed during that time were subpar performers. While I was in, I heard that he had a tendency for bureaucracy. I never heard any positive things about his leadership. I wonder what the truth is.

Of note, the Esquire article proclaims that he is a strategic genius. I doubt that he is a strategic genius since he has not published an iota of scholarly work or produced any work within the Navy that can be described as strategic. He is not a strategy guy, he is a bureaucracy guy, in my opinion.

[The Wolf]

If anyone doubts the Clark parallel, just look at this Pelosi quote:

"Admiral Fallon's decision to resign is a disappointment to those of us who viewed his reputation for candor as an essential asset in his role as Centcom commander," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Although his views on the best way to deal with the challenges in Centcom's area of responsibility may not have matched those held by White House officials, Adm. Fallon was viewed in Congress as someone who was careful, forthright and direct."

If this isn't damnation by praise, I don't know what is...

-Wolf

[Soldier's Dad]

One can't be CentCom commander and effectively deal with all the WayWard leaders of the Middle East if one isn't viewed as speaking with the full authority and backing of the President and Senate. So from that standpoint, the Esquire article was a kiss of death.

On the issue of internal issues...one needs to have the theatre commanders fully in place and familiarized with their regions prior to the elections to insure a smooth transfer from one administration to the next. On Jan 21st 2009 the president and SecDef will change...theatre commanders changing on the same date is too much change for various other leaders in the world.

[Marine6]

I couldn't help but notice the parallels with Douglas MacArthur. Fallon seemed to forget that he was the Centcom Commander, not the Commander in Chief. He seemed to forget that that the President makes the policy, and he carries it out. And war with Iran is a policy decision. And didn't Douglas MacArthur have a very friendly relationship with the leader of the opposition party in the House of Representatives, and didn't that political leader (In MacArthur's case former Speaker of the House Joseph Martin) go to the press to plead his case?

I would NEVER claim that Fallon could hold a candle to MacArthur as a commander. But he sure seems to have had some of the same character flaws.

[jordan]

Fallon says the Esquire article distorted his views, presenting them in opposition to the WH (MSNBC). Apparently, he thinks he's been burned by the Esquire article, calling it "poison pen stuff", saying he doesn't disagree with administration pronouncements on this.

As Cincpac, some say he smiled a little too softly at China, which has been flexing it's muscles in Pac waters. Like I said, when people sense an incoming Democratic administration, it's leftward, ho!

[kutas]

A true patriot.

Some of the people here remind me of those SS officers in the movie "Downfall". Standing with your Fuhrer to end.

I hope you all bite on the cyanide first before sending the 9mm slug into your cranium.

Like the Fuhrer, remember to put the barrel in your mouth, not by your temple. The trigger pull could force you to miss.

[Davod]

"As Cincpac, some say he smiled a little too softly at China, which has been flexing it's muscles in Pac waters. Like I said, when people sense an incoming Democratic administration, it's leftward, ho!"

This is the impression I got some time ago.

Kutas? Don't forget, the finger pointing at us means you have four pointing at you.

[Old Tanker]

Of note, the Esquire article proclaims that he is a strategic genius.

well then, case closed...

/sarc

kutas

he may be a patriot but you never publicly disagree with the chain of command. Back when I was in, the CinC outranked an Admiral.

[Ymarsakar]

All,

please reconsider your position based upon a consideration and analysis of the tactics of the enemy.

Link

[Ymarsakar]

This is the comment I left at Salamander's post:

As with most things, in cases like this it is helpful to cut through the middle-men and get to primary sources.

Spoken like a true student of history.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Only if the pen goes into the eye faster than the sword, Sala. Sure, it has an advantage in political infighting due to the length of the pen, but swords are great for mass killing on the efficient level. A pen can selective ansatsu one target and that is it. A sword can kill every pen user while they are writing and oblivious to the world, without breaking and without the need to clean it. Pens must be cleansed after they are used.

Rarely has such a great man been taken down by such a poorly written work. Say what you want about ADM Fallon, but he deserved a better executioner than this.

That's insurgency for you, Sala. Create divisions within the enemy, real or imagined, and thus crack the unity and strength of the walls holding the barbarians outside in check and the aristos inside subdued.

Insurgency, like violence, is a tool like any other. When they use such and you refuse to, bad things happen. When reporters are immune and their targets vulnerable, bad things happen. When human rights violators sit in judgment of human rights violators, evil wins and the good are prosecuted. Such is the way of the world that those that refuse to use the tools of violence, death, and war are inevitably the victims violence, death, and war are used upon.

And it does not get any better just because Fallon and the targets of the Left are not allowed by law or the US Constitution to strike back.

[RepresentativePress]

See video: Why Fallon's Resignation is Frightening Defense Secretary Robert Gates did not have to accept Admiral Fallon's resignation. "The military people think basically that Admiral Fallon was PUSHED OUT" - Mark Thompson Time Magazine National Security Correspondent
Fallon is described as "the one person in the military or Pentagon standing between the White House and war with Iran.

[jordan]

Why so angry, kutas? The talk here has been respectful and the points raised are reasonable and legit, including Fallon's own quotes in his defense. But violent death wishes, for opinion on a personnel change? Whoa. BDS.

FWIW, it's more in support of deployed troops than the Fuhrer that anything is noted, advocated or celebrated here.

[Kat-Missouri/USA]

Actually, I find it pretty humorous that everybody is stuck on the esquire report as the onus for Fallon's resignation. Frankly, that whole thing sounds like some publicists wet dream (Barnett's very likely).

Fallon has been running afowl of the administration over everything, not just Iran. He opposed the Iraq surge, he dissed Petraeus last year as an "ass kissing chickenshit", he's been bucking to draw down forces in the area before Petraeus got the okay for his plan and Fallon has been insisting on a draw down of troops asap already this year.

Which, if you all were too busy reading Esquire, you might have missed that Fallon's resignation appeared right after the President gave a speech in Tennesse on the long term plans in Iraq. None of which seemed to go with Fallon's own strategic wishes to drastically reduce presence in Iraq.

Of course, there was that entire gulf issue where he refused to order a third carrier group into the gulf after the Iranians kidnapped 15 British Sailors. Fallon WAS afraid of the situation escalating, but not just with Iran directly.

The Esquire piece was the straw on the camel's back, nothing more.

[Soldier's Mom]

I live in the land of the Corps of Cadets and Gates had a reputation here of management by swift attrition -- disagree and your tenure disappeared! Don't know how good Dempsey is, but if he disagrees with Gates, he won't be there long either.

[TransPhat]

Matt,

The Adm was a dick and that fact is admitted to by all who served under him that were not counting on his 'patronage'. He always reminded me of McPeak and I treated him the same way.

There will be a lot of parties in Fl this weekend.

Let's see: Clinton Flag Officer, publicly disagreed with battlefield GO's, absolutely ZERO writings (strategic or otherwise) in PME, took his wife on mil trips to the mideast that made things VERY culturally awkward, totally abused his staff (talk to some O-5's at CentCom to get the 'flavor'), and then went out and said things in direct opposition to CinC policy.

I'm stunned he was ever made CentCom in the first place. Given the war we're fighting we need a USMC or USA GO there ASAP.

[Ymarsakar]

All the people with axes to grind against Fallon is coming out. Totally ignoring the propaganda campaigns being run by the Democrats, as usual.