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[Cloudy]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...a14f48-3043-11e2-a30e-5ca76eeec857_story.html

Of the many facts that have come to light in the scandal involving former CIA director David H. Petraeus, among the most curious was that during his days as a four-star general, he was once escorted by 28 police motorcycles as he traveled from his Central Command headquarters in Tampa to socialite Jill Kelley’s mansion. Although most of his trips did not involve a presidential-size convoy, the scandal has prompted new scrutiny of the imperial trappings that come with a senior general’s lifestyle.

The commanders who lead the nation’s military services and those who oversee troops around the world enjoy an array of perquisites befitting a billionaire, including executive jets, palatial homes, drivers, security guards and aides to carry their bags, press their uniforms and track their schedules in 10-minute increments. Their food is prepared by gourmet chefs. If they want music with their dinner parties, their staff can summon a string quartet or a choir.

The elite regional commanders who preside over large swaths of the planet don’t have to settle for Gulfstream V jets. They each have a C-40, the military equivalent of a Boeing 737, some of which are configured with beds.

Why exactly would a general leave the military unless to retire?

 

[Slayven]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...a14f48-3043-11e2-a30e-5ca76eeec857_story.html



Why exactly would a general leave the military unless to retire?

Private sector pays better without having to hide money.

 

[Guevara]

It's hard to find jobs with better benefits than the military, and that's true at all levels.

 

[DarkFlow]

They should get some perks for having a job like that. A private sector job would pay them 3 times as much for the level of work they do.

 

[Partial Gamification]

Why exactly would a general leave the military unless to retire?

To sit on the board of a private security company enabling more freedom and benefits.

 

[Curtisaur]

I thought "Kelley" was a typo and they were talking about the pornstar, Jill Kelly. Guess I'm out of the loop a li'l bit.

 

[Vicetrailia]

What a serious lack of accountability. Military is rampant with corruption, go fig.

 

[Dead Man]

It's hard to find jobs with better benefits than the military, and that's true at all levels.

E1 11B disagrees with you

 

[davepoobond]

well, a position like that demands respect. they are at the top of the military chain and are in command of the defense of our nation.

we also can't let our generals ever be in "danger" at any time and if they were easy targets at any time that wouldn't be good for anyone.

 

[PhoenixDark]

I'm glad Patraeus' career is over in the sense that we'll never have to deal with him running for president. The media worships the ground he walks on in a way I've never seen before

 

[Dude Abides]

well, a position like that demands respect. they are at the top of the military chain and are in command of the defense of our nation.

we also can't let our generals ever be in "danger" at any time and if they were easy targets at any time that wouldn't be good for anyone.

I assume those string quartet players are trained to take a bullet if the need arises.

 

[Sol..]

Well, those high ranking generals are like CEOs in charge of all kinds business including stuff similar to things done at BAE, Boston Dynamics, or Lockheed Martin. So I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to keep these guys around. If you need to let them live like other CEOs to keep them around then so be it.

 

[Tragicomedy]

Let me put it to you this way: one of our 4-stars has a Tech Sergeant (E-6) assigned to him as his personal chef/house aide. She went to culinary school, does his laundry, and packs his bags when he travels.

It's...weird.

 

[Ether_Snake]

Well, those high ranking generals are like CEOs in charge of all kinds business including stuff similar to things done at BAE, Boston Dynamics, or Lockheed Martin. So I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to keep these guys around. If you need to let them live like other CEOs to keep them around then so be it.

Where is good old patriotism? Bring the soviet threat back!

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

I thought "Kelley" was a typo and they were talking about the pornstar, Jill Kelly. Guess I'm out of the loop a li'l bit.

She claims to be reaping the benefits due to the name confusion this scandal has brought.

 

[DrFunk]

Generals make a pretty good salary

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

Give the Generals anything they want...... or they might be like Generals in other countries and rise up and take it, maybe.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Plus since you're in the military, you get to rape female soldiers with no consequences!

 

[BankaiZaraki]

I wonder how to be a S/O for a 4 Star General. Gotta have the G License to carry for sure but I wonder what other credentials gotta have...probably prior military and law enforcement.

 

[DarkFlow]

Plus since you're in the military, you get to rape female soldiers with no consequences!

You went a little too far with that one,

 

[nhlducks35]

Plus since you're in the military, you get to rape female soldiers with no consequences!

...

 

[Femmeworth]

Give the Generals anything they want...... or they might be like Generals in other countries and rise up and take it, maybe.

Generals are job creators in a sense.

 

[ShdwDrake]

Plus since you're in the military, you get to rape female soldiers with no consequences!

Gay ones as well now. Haven't seen it happen but have heard from some of my buddies still it. A new thing now is "Pitchin' ain't gay".

 

[Salvor.Hardin]

Stop calling Jill Kelley a socialite damnit!

 

[shira]

Why exactly would a general leave the military unless to retire?

 

[davepoobond]

I assume those string quartet players are trained to take a bullet if the need arises.

who says being a Music major isn't useful?

 

[SpectreFire]

I don't see anything that special about those benefits. They seem pretty on par for any sort of very high-level civil servant.

4-stars are generally CINCs, which mean they're in charge of ALL military units within a specific geographical area.

CINCPAC alone commands 2 US carrier fleets, 1 Army Division, 2 Marine Expedition forces, and numerous other Army and Airforce units.

When you're that high up, and you posses more military power than most countries... you're not allowed to have free time to do your own laundry and shit. And you're certainly not allowed to go anywhere without a wall of security around you.