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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Leatherneck on February 01, 2010, 04:16:02 PM

Title: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: Leatherneck on February 01, 2010, 04:16:02 PM
This very afternoon. Methinks a certain Marine's market value just took a hit.
http://washingtonindependent.com/75394/gates-fires-the-head-of-the-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-program (http://washingtonindependent.com/75394/gates-fires-the-head-of-the-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-program)

TC
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: RevDisk on February 01, 2010, 04:37:21 PM
This very afternoon. Methinks a certain Marine's market value just took a hit.
http://washingtonindependent.com/75394/gates-fires-the-head-of-the-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-program (http://washingtonindependent.com/75394/gates-fires-the-head-of-the-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-program)

TC

I heard Gates isn't nearly into the "in your face" thing as Rummy, but it seems like he cuts even deeper.  Rummy seemed just happy to snowflake (not the same thing as what police do) and scream at folks. 
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: Nitrogen on February 01, 2010, 04:56:31 PM
Pardon my ignorance, but is this a good thing, or a bad thing?  I do not follow the intricacies  of this all that well.
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: Perd Hapley on February 01, 2010, 05:01:35 PM
Leatherneck and Rev are just excited because he used to give them wedgies and steal their lunch money. 
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: Lennyjoe on February 01, 2010, 08:07:26 PM
Quote
Pardon my ignorance, but is this a good thing, or a bad thing?  I do not follow the intricacies  of this all that well

Its a career ender for the General.  As for the program, not that big of a deal. 

The program itself has been plagued with cost overruns and such.  I never took a liking to the JSF.  Just looks like a maintenance man's nightmare.
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: RevDisk on February 01, 2010, 09:05:49 PM
Pardon my ignorance, but is this a good thing, or a bad thing?  I do not follow the intricacies  of this all that well.

Well...  Neither, per se.  The General's career is toast, and the value of his aftermarket services (ie consulting or whatnot) are significantly lower now.  But it's a relieving a general for cause is very uncommon.  Usually when generals screw up badly, they get a Legion of Merit and some important sounding do-nothing task until they retire.  If they get publicly caught screwing up badly, they resign for the good of the service.  Getting fired instead of a polite fiction of "wanting to spend more time with my family" means the SecDef is trying to send a message.



Leatherneck and Rev are just excited because he used to give them wedgies and steal their lunch money. 

 =D

Closest to that happening was Major General Pudlowski attempting to steal my pizza.  "OY!  What the **** do you THINK you are doing!   ....  Uh.  Sir."   

He was wearing PT gear at the time...   Thankfully, he took it with good humor...  and even more thankfully, my nametape was covered up.
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: Leatherneck on February 02, 2010, 05:19:24 AM
^^^^^
What Rev said. Well, the first part anyway. Gates could have left him there to complete the program "replan" that's under way and then allow him to quietly go away this summer as scheduled. This kind of a public crucifixion is rare. General Heinz certainly did not cause the bind the program is in. But he didn't solve it either.

TC
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: HankB on February 02, 2010, 09:31:27 AM
Well...  Neither, per se.  The General's career is toast, and the value of his aftermarket services (ie consulting or whatnot) are significantly lower now. 
Or he can retire and write a book about working under the Obama administration.  >:D
Title: Re: Gates Fires JSF Program Manager
Post by: RevDisk on February 02, 2010, 11:50:05 AM
Or he can retire and write a book about working under the Obama administration.  >:D

He probably will.  Working as a cabinet member under two successive administrations of different parties is quite rare.