OPINION:
A few years ago, a client of mine wanted to invite the service chiefs and their senior noncommissioned advisers to an event at Andrews Air Force Base. At the time, I still had Pentagon access, so I opted to hand-deliver the invitations to the E Ring offices concerned.
In doing so, I discovered that the office suites of the Army and Air Force chiefs of staff, as well as the suite of the commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, were all just steps away from their respective command sergeants major. In contrast, the master chief petty officer of the U.S. Navy was exiled to an office in Pentagon “Siberia,” at least 300 yards away from the chief of naval operations.
And that, boys and girls, says it all.
RICHARD J. DOUGLAS
Former deputy assistant secretary of defense
College Park
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