Walter Reed Exposes Weakened Top Brass

Retired general blames military for acquiescing to misguided civilian moves
By Sophie Goldstein,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 6, 2007 1:51 PM CST
Walter Reed Exposes Weakened Top Brass
Walter Reed Pledges To Upgrade Outpatient Facilities   (Getty Images (by Event))

Blame the Walter Reed scandal on "the silence of our top officers," writes a retired Army general. Paul Eaton, who spent a year in Baghdad rebuilding the Iraqi army, says the administration and Congress "pointedly failed to provide the money and resources for our returned troops," and top military officials let it happen.

Eaton lists ten steps that could improve medical care for returning veterans, ranging from budget increases to de-privatization of services. But his main challenge is to the military leadership to stand up to wrong-headed civilians. "I expect the Joint Chiefs of Staff to be able to resume their rightful role in our nation's defense," Eaton writes. (More Bush administration stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X