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April 24, 2008
Congratulations General Petraeus On The Nomination
Bush Nominates Petraeus To Lead Central Command
Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq and the public face of the war effort there, became President Bush's nominee yesterday to supervise U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia as head of Central Command, putting him in position to oversee American strategy in Iraq for years to come.
Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, who worked closely with Petraeus as the No. 2 commander in Iraq until two months ago, was nominated to receive a fourth star and to take Petraeus's current job as the leader of Multi-National Force-Iraq.
Together, the moves would elevate the two military officers most responsible for executing last year's new counterinsurgency strategy and "surge" of nearly 30,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. Senior officials said the shifts in top command are aimed at minimizing disruption to the military campaign in Iraq, at a time when security there remains fragile, and as the prospect looms in Washington of major changes in Iraq policy after the U.S. presidential election in November.
"This arrangement probably preserves the likelihood of continued momentum and progress," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in announcing the nominations at the Pentagon yesterday morning. Referring to Odierno as Petraeus's "right-hand man" and pointing to the officers' close relationships with U.S. and Iraqi commanders, Gates said the decisions will "provide some continuity for a new administration," though he added that the next president will "always have the opportunity to make a change."
In a pattern similar to that of World War II, the nominations mark the ascent within the military of a generation of Army division commanders who rose to prominence as combat leaders during multiple battlefield tours. Petraeus led the 101st Airborne Division during the Iraq invasion, then returned as a three-star general overseeing the building of Iraqi forces before taking his current job -- in all, spending nearly four of the past five years in Iraq. Odierno led the 4th Infantry Division in the Sunni Triangle early in the war and returned to Baghdad as the top commander for day-to-day military operations.
Gates also announced that his senior military assistant, Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, will replace Odierno as Bush's nominee to become the Army's vice chief of staff. Chiarelli, a veteran of two commands in Iraq who has written articles advocating fresh thinking within the Army, would run the service day-to-day and would seek to manage the strain on the force from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gates said he hopes the Senate will confirm the nominees before Memorial Day.
Wild Thing's comment.........
I am very happy for GEN Petreus on the recommendation for the CENTCOM. My understanding is that as CENTCOM Commander, he will have direct command of all forces in the Southwest Asian theater -- including Iraq but not limited to Iraq. So if Iran is put on the table, it will be on CENTCOM's table.
Posted by Wild Thing at April 24, 2008 03:48 AM
Comments
Get his Tampa Bay Bucs and Lightning season tickets ready WT!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at April 24, 2008 04:55 AM
Great move for our armed forces!!! My youngest son served in Iraq under Odierno.
Posted by: Susan Gertson at April 24, 2008 10:08 AM
Generals Petraeus and Odierno have both proven their leadership under difficult conditions. They pursue the mission and take care of the troops. Those are the primary responsibilities of military leaders. Both Generals have also shown a patient and dignified ability to handle the hostile press and even more hostile politicians.
Thank God America has military leaders like Generals Petraeus and Odierno. Remember that General Petraeus was instrumental in picking the list of next Brigader Generals, so the quality leadership should continue for a while. I wish them well and good luck in their new positions.
Posted by: TomR at April 24, 2008 10:36 AM
I can see it now. President Barack Hussein Obama disregards the advice of Gen. Petraeus and Gen. Odierno and instead follows his heart and advice from his terrorist election year supporters and orders the immediate withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq.
Yup! He promised change and change it will be.
Posted by: Les at April 24, 2008 10:43 AM
It's a great move for Petraeus and Odierno and for the United States.
I had a horrible nightmare, that Hussein won the Dem candidacy, selected Dhjimmi Carter for his running mate and the RNC threw in their approval. Can Hamas soon replace the gutless congress?
Posted by: Jack at April 24, 2008 11:23 AM
Darth, oh gosh that would be fun.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 24, 2008 07:09 PM
Susan, that is wonderful. Please thank you son for his service to our country we owe him so much.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 24, 2008 07:10 PM
Tom, oh yes that's right, thank you for pointing that out.
"Remember that General Petraeus was instrumental in picking the list of next Brigader Generals"
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 24, 2008 07:13 PM
Les, yes ole Obama has made it very clear he has zero respect and regard for Gen. Petraeus and Gen. Odierno. GRRRR I truly can't handle this jerk Obama.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 24, 2008 07:15 PM
Jack oh Noooooooooooo that IS a horrible nightmare.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 24, 2008 07:19 PM
