On his last day as Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld sent one last “snowflake” announcing the “blizzard is over.” His dispatch of thousands of memos, asking for answers and seeking action—usually tagged with aggressive deadlines—over the past six years became one of his signature trademarks. This last snowflake absolved those who had yet to respond to his latest flurry. Rumsfeld invoked the “spirit of the season” and offered a “general amnesty for any outstanding snowflakes.”
Your Program Needs Outcomes, Not Outputs
Oct. 29, 2026
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.orgThe Department of War is making its acquisition leaders accountable for mission...