Joining the ranks of individuals who provide Pentagon top leaders with independent advice on defense policy issues are John Hamre, former deputy defense secretary in the Clinton Administration; J.D. Crouch, former deputy National Security Advisor; Robert Joseph, former undersecretary of State; retired Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, past Joint Chiefs Chairman; William Perry, former Defense Secretary; and Peter Rodman, former assistant secretary of defense. They join returning members, including Harold Brown, Henry Kissinger, retired Gen. Richard Myers, and James Schlesinger. Defense Secretary Robert Gates chose Hamre, who currently heads the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to chair the board.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.