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Stanley A. McChrystal

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Stanley McChrystal
General Stanley A. McChrystalc.2009
Born(1954-08-14)August 14, 1954(age 69)
Fort Leavenworth,Kansas,U.S.[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1976–2010[2]
RankGeneral
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards

Stanley Allen McChrystal(born August 14, 1954) is a retiredUnited States Armygeneralbest known for his command ofJoint Special Operations Command(JSOC) from 2003 to 2008 during which his organization was credited with the death ofAbu Musab al-Zarqawi,leader ofAl-Qaeda in Iraq.His final assignment was as Commander,International Security Assistance Force(ISAF) and Commander, United States Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A).[3]He previously served asDirector, Joint Stafffrom August 2008 to June 2009. McChrystal received criticism for his alleged role in the cover-up of thePat Tillman friendly fire incident.[4]McChrystal was reportedly known[5]for saying what other military leaders were thinking but were afraid to say; this was one of the reasons cited for his appointment to lead all forces in Afghanistan.[6]He held the post from June 15, 2009, to June 23, 2010.[7]

Former Defense SecretaryRobert Gatesdescribed McChrystal as "perhaps the finest warrior and leader of men in combat I ever met."[8]However, following unflattering remarks about Vice PresidentJoe Bidenand other administration officials[9]attributed to McChrystal and his aides in aRolling Stonearticle,[10]McChrystal was recalled toWashington, D.C.,where PresidentBarack Obamaaccepted his resignation as commander in Afghanistan.[11][12][13]

His command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan was assumed by the deputy commander,British ArmyGeneralSir Nicholas Parker,pending the confirmation of a replacement. Obama named GeneralDavid Petraeusas McChrystal's replacement;[13][14]Petraeus was confirmed by the Senate and officially assumed command on June 30. Days after being relieved of his duties in Afghanistan, McChrystal announced his retirement.[15]Since 2010, he has taught courses ininternational relationsatYale Universityas a Senior Fellow of the university'sJackson Institute for Global Affairs.[16]

Early career

[edit]

Born on August 14, 1954, on theFort LeavenworthU.S. Army base in Kansas,[4][17]McChrystal graduated high school fromSt. John's College High Schoolin Washington, D.C.[18]He graduated from theUnited States Military Academyin 1976 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in theUnited States Army.His initial assignment was toCompanyC, 1st Battalion,504th Infantry,82nd Airborne Division,[19]serving asweapons platoonleader from November 1976 to February 1978, asrifle platoonleader from February 1978 to July 1978, and asexecutive officerfrom July 1978 to November 1978.[20]

In November 1978, McChrystal enrolled as a student in theSpecial Forces Officer Courseat theSpecial Forces SchoolatFort Bragg, North Carolina.Upon completing the course in April 1979, he remained at Fort Bragg as commander of Operational Detachment A-714 (an "A-team" ) in Company A, 1st Battalion,7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).[21]This was not the last time that '714' would be associated with McChrystal. In June 1980, he attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at theInfantry SchoolatFort Benning, Georgia,until February 1981.[20]

In February 1981, McChrystal moved to South Korea asintelligenceandoperations officer(S-2/S-3) for theUnited Nations CommandSupport Group—Joint Security Area.He reported toFort Stewart, Georgia,in March 1982 to serve as training officer in the Directorate of Plans and Training, A Company, Headquarters Command. He moved to 3rd Battalion,19th Infantry,24th Infantry Division (Mechanized),in November 1982, where he commanded A Company before becomingbattalionoperations officer (S-3) in September 1984.[20]

McChrystal moved to 3rd Battalion,75th Ranger Regiment,as battalion liaison officer in September 1985, became commander of A Company in January 1986, served again as battalion liaison officer in May 1987, and finally became battalion operations officer (S-3) in April 1988, before reporting to theNaval War CollegeinNewport, Rhode Island,as a student in the Command and General Staff Course in June 1989. It was during this time that McChrystal also completed aMaster of Sciencedegree ininternational relationsfromSalve Regina University.[22]After completing the course in June 1990, he was assigned as Army Special Operations action officer,J-3,Joint Special Operations Commanduntil April 1993, in which capacity he deployed toSaudi Arabiafor OperationsDesert ShieldandDesert Storm.[20]

From April 1993 to November 1994, McChrystal commanded the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division. He then commanded the2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment,from November 1994 to June 1996. During this time he initiated what would become a complete revamping of the existing Armyhand-to-hand combatcurricula.[23]After a year as a senior service college fellow at theJohn F. Kennedy School of GovernmentatHarvard University,he moved up to command the entire 75th Ranger Regiment from June 1997 to August 1999, then spent another year as a military fellow at theCouncil on Foreign Relations.[20]

General officer

[edit]
McChrystal as a brigadier general, 1999

Promoted tobrigadier generalon January 1, 2001, he served as assistant division commander (operations) of the 82nd Airborne Division from June 2000 to June 2001, including duty as Commander,United States Army Central(dubbed "Coalition/Joint Task Force Kuwait" ) inCamp Doha,Kuwait.From June 2001 to July 2002 he was chief of staff ofXVIII Airborne Corps,including duty as chief of staff ofCombined Joint Task Force 180,the headquarters formation contributed byXVIII Airborne Corpsto direct allOperation Enduring Freedomoperations inAfghanistan.[20]

At the beginning of theIraq Warin March 2003, he was serving in thePentagonas a member of theJoint Staff,where he had been vice director of operations, J-3, since July 2002.[20]McChrystal was selected to deliver nationally televised Pentagon briefings on U.S. military operations in Iraq, including one in April 2003 shortly after the fall ofBaghdadin which he announced, "I would anticipate that the major combat engagements are over."[24][25]

Commander, Joint Special Operations Command

[edit]
McChrystal at thePentagonin April 2003, giving a briefing regarding theIraq War.

He commanded theJoint Special Operations Command(JSOC) for five years, serving first as Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command,[19]from September 2003 to February 2006, and then as Commander, Joint Special Operations Command/Commander, Joint Special Operations Command Forward, from February 2006 to August 2008. He took command of JSOC on October 6, 2003.[26]This position he describes as commander of Task Force 714 in his autobiography, a force which has been identified as theJSOC high-value targets task force.[27]

Nominally assigned toFort Bragg, North Carolina,he spent most of his time in Afghanistan, atU.S. Central Command's forward headquarters inQatar,and in Iraq. In Iraq, he personally directed special operations,[27]where his work there is viewed as "pivotal".[28]Early successes included the capture by JSOC forces ofSaddam Husseinin December 2003. He was promoted tolieutenant generalon February 16, 2006.[20][29]

Joint Special Operations Commandemblem

As head of whatNewsweektermed "the most secretive force in the U.S. military", McChrystal maintained a very low profile until June 2006, when his forces were responsible for the death ofAbu Musab al-Zarqawi,leader ofAl-Qaeda in Iraq.[24]After McChrystal's team successfully located Zarqawi and called in the airstrike that killed him, McChrystal accompanied his men to the bombed-out hut nearBaqubahto personally identify the body.[30]

McChrystal's Zarqawi unit,Task Force 6-26,became well known for its interrogation methods, particularly atCamp Nama,where it was accused of abusing detainees. After theAbu Ghraib torture and prisoner abusescandal became public in April 2004, 34 members of the task force were disciplined.[31][32]McChrystal later said that, "we found that nearly every first-timejihadistclaimed Abu Ghraib had first jolted him into action. "[33]He also said that, "mistreating detainees would discredit us.... The pictures [from] Abu Ghraib represented a setback for America's efforts in Iraq. Simultaneously undermining U.S. domestic confidence in the way in which America was operating, and creating or reinforcing negative perceptions worldwide of American values, it fueled violence".[34]

McChrystal was also criticized for his role in the aftermath of the 2004 death byfriendly fireof Ranger and former professional football playerPat Tillman.Within a day of Tillman's death, McChrystal was notified that Tillman was a victim offriendly fire.Shortly thereafter, McChrystal was put in charge of paperwork to award Tillman a posthumousSilver Starfor valor.

On April 28, 2004, six days after Tillman's death, McChrystal approved a final draft of the Silver Star recommendation and submitted it to the acting Secretary of the Army, even though the medal recommendation deliberately omitted any mention of friendly fire, included the phrase "in the line of devastating enemy fire", and was accompanied by fabricated witness statements. On April 29, McChrystal sent an urgent memo warning White House speechwriters not to quote the medal recommendation in any statements they wrote for PresidentGeorge W. Bushbecause it "might cause public embarrassment if the circumstances of Corporal Tillman's death become public." McChrystal was one of the first to caution restraint in public statements, until the investigation was complete.[35]McChrystal was one of eight officers recommended for discipline by a subsequent Pentagon investigation, but the Army declined to take action against him.[4][36][37][38]

According toPulitzer Prize-winningWashington PostreporterBob Woodward,beginning in late spring 2007 JSOC and CIASpecial Activities Divisionteams launched a new series of highly effective covert operations that coincided with theIraq War troop surge of 2007.They did this by killing or capturing many of the keyal-Qaedaleaders in Iraq.[39][40]In aCBS60 Minutesinterview, Woodward described a new special operations capability that allowed for this success, noting that it was developed by the joint teams of CIA and JSOC. Several senior U.S. officials stated that the "joint efforts of JSOC and CIA paramilitary units were the most significant contributor to the defeat of al-Qa'ida in Iraq."[39][41]JournalistPeter Bergenalso credits McChrystal with transforming and modernizing JSOC into a "force of unprecedented agility and lethality," playing a key factor in the success of JSOC efforts in subsequent years and in the success of the war in Iraq.[42]

Director, Joint Staff

[edit]

McChrystal was considered a candidate to succeed GeneralBryan D. Brownas commander ofU.S. Special Operations Commandin 2007,[43]and to succeed GeneralDavid Petraeusas commanding general ofMulti-National Force – Iraqor AdmiralWilliam J. Fallonas commander ofU.S. Central Commandin 2008, all four-star positions.[44][45][46]Instead, McChrystal was nominated byGeorge W. Bushto succeed Lieutenant GeneralWalter L. Sharpasdirector of the Joint Staffin February 2008, another three-star position.

Normally a routine process, McChrystal'sSenateconfirmation was stalled by members of theSenate Armed Services Committeewho sought more information about the alleged mistreatment of detainees by Special Operations troops under McChrystal's command in Iraq and Afghanistan.[47]After meeting with McChrystal in private, the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmed his reappointment as lieutenant general in May 2008 and he became director of the Joint Staff in August 2008.

President Obamaand McChrystal in the Oval Office in May 2009.

Commander of US and ISAF forces in Afghanistan

[edit]
McChrystal meeting with President Obama and Ambassador Eikenberry in December 2009

With his June 10, 2009, Senate approval to take command in Afghanistan, McChrystal was promoted togeneral.[20][29][48]Shortly after McChrystal assumed command of NATO operations,Operation Khanjarcommenced, marking the largest offensive operation and the beginning of the deadliest combat month for NATO forces since 2001.[citation needed]

Afghanistan assessment made public

[edit]

McChrystal submitted a 66-page report toDefense SecretaryRobert Gatescalling for more troops inAfghanistan,saying "We are going to win." That became public on September 20, 2009.[49]McChrystal warned that the war in Afghanistan might be lost if more troops were not sent, but the report ends on a note of cautious optimism: "While the situation is serious, success is still achievable."[50]

[edit]
General McChrystal arrives at Combat Outpost Sharp inGarmsir Districtin April 2010

In 2009, McChrystal publicly suggested between 30,000 and 40,000 more troops were needed inAfghanistan,as the lowest risk option out of a number of possible troop level changes. He was advised by White House Staff not to present troop increases numbers to "defeat the Taliban", but to "degrade" them.[51]

Scott Ritter,former Chief UN Weapons Inspector in Iraq, stated at the time that McChrystal should be fired forinsubordinationfor disclosing information that he should have said only in private to the President of the United States.[52]

New Yorkmagazinerefers to the leaked report as the "McChrystal risk" as it boxed Obama into a corner about boosting troop levels in Afghanistan.[53]

Rolling Stonearticle and resignation

[edit]

In an article written by freelance journalistMichael Hastings( "The Runaway General", appearing inRolling Stonemagazine, July 8–22, 2010 issue),[10]McChrystal and his staff mocked civilian government officials, includingJoe Biden,national security advisorJames L. Jones,US ambassador to AfghanistanKarl W. Eikenberry,and special representative for Afghanistan and PakistanRichard Holbrooke.[54]McChrystal was not quoted as being directly critical of the president or the president's policies, but several comments from his aides in the article reflected their perception of McChrystal's disappointment with President Obama after their first two meetings.[55]

According toRolling Stone,McChrystal's staff was contacted prior to release of the article and did not deny the validity of the article,[56]although senior members of his staff dispute this, and have accused Hastings inArmy Timesof exaggerating the seniority of aides quoted and breaking theoff the recordtrust of private conversations between him and the aides.[57]

Hastings toldNewsweekthat he was quite clearly a reporter gathering material, and actually bemused at the degree to which soldiers freely spoke to him.[58]A report by the Department of Defense inspector general finds "Not all of the events at issue occurred as reported in [Hastings's] article."[59]

The statements attributed to McChrystal and members of his staff drew the attention of the White House when McChrystal called Vice President Biden to apologize.[60]McChrystal issued a written statement, saying:

I extend my sincerest apology for this profile. It was a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened. Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honor and professional integrity. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard. I have enormous respect and admiration for President Obama and his national security team, and for the civilian leaders and troops fighting this war and I remain committed to ensuring its successful outcome.[61]

Biden's call to President Obama to tell him of the apology prompted Obama to request a copy of the profile and then to summon McChrystal to attend in person the president's monthly security team meeting at the White House in lieu of attending via secure video teleconference. During a meeting with Obama on June 23, two days before the article was released to newsstands and only one day after it was released online, McChrystal tendered his resignation, which the president accepted.[11]Shortly thereafter, President Obama nominated GeneralDavid Petraeusto replace McChrystal in his role as top commander in Afghanistan.[62]

Obama's statement on the topic began as follows: "Today I accepted Gen. Stanley McChrystal's resignation as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. I did so with considerable regret, but also with certainty that it is the right thing for our mission in Afghanistan, for our military and for our country."[63]

Later that day McChrystal released the following statement:

This morning the president accepted my resignation as Commander of U.S. and NATO Coalition Forces in Afghanistan. I strongly support the president's strategy in Afghanistan and am deeply committed to our coalition forces, our partner nations, and the Afghan people. It was out of respect for this commitment—and a desire to see the mission succeed—that I tendered my resignation. It has been my privilege and honor to lead our nation's finest.[12][64]

Retirement

[edit]
Gates decorates McChrystal with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal at his retirement ceremony on July 23, 2010.

Shortly after his removal from command in Afghanistan, McChrystal announced that he would retire from the Army.[15]The day after the announcement, the White House announced that he would retain hisfour-star rankinretirement,although law generally requires a four-star officer to hold his rank for three years in order to retain it in retirement.[65]His retirement ceremony was held on July 23, 2010, atFort McNairin Washington D.C. During this ceremony, McChrystal was awarded theDistinguished Service MedalbyArmy Chief of StaffGen.George Caseyand theDefense Distinguished Service MedalbySecretary of DefenseRobert Gates.[66][67]

Pentagon inquiry

[edit]

Hastings and Eric Bates,executive editorofRolling Stone,repeatedly defended the accuracy of Hastings' article. An inquiry by theDefense Department inspector generalfound no evidence of wrongdoing by McChrystal or his military and civilian associates.[68][69]The Pentagon report also challenged the accuracy of Hastings' article, disputing key incidents or comments reported in it.[69]

The report from the inquiry states: "In some instances, we found no witness who acknowledged making or hearing the comments as reported. In other instances, we confirmed that the general substance of an incident at issue occurred, but not in the exact context described in the article." In response,Rolling Stonestated that "the report by the Pentagon's inspector general offers no credible source—or indeed, any named source—contradicting the facts as reported in our story."[69]

After the report was made public, the White House tapped McChrystal to head a new advisory board to support military families, an initiative led byFirst LadyMichelle ObamaandJill Biden,wife of the vice president.The selection of McChrystal was announced on April 12, four days after the inspector general's report was finished.[70]

Post-military career

[edit]

In 2010, after leaving the Army, McChrystal joinedYale Universityas aJackson Institute for Global Affairssenior fellow. He teaches a course entitled "Leadership", a graduate-levelseminarwith some spots reserved for undergraduates. The course received 250 applications for 20 spots in 2011 and was taught for a third time in 2013.[71][72][73]

In November 2010,JetBlue Airwaysannounced that McChrystal would join its board of directors.[74]On February 16, 2011,Navistar Internationalannounced that McChrystal would join its board of directors.[75]

McChrystal is chairman of the Board of Siemens Government Technologies, and is on the strategic advisory board of Knowledge International, a licensed arms dealer whose parent company is EAI, a business "very close" to theUnited Arab Emiratesgovernment.[76]He co-founded and is a partner atMcChrystal Group,anAlexandria, Virginia-basedconsultingfirm.[77][78]His philosophy of leadership and building stronger organizations is quoted in the bestselling book byDaniel LevitinThe Organized Mind.

In 2011, McChrystal joinedSpirit of America,a501(c)(3) organizationthat supports the safety and success of Americans serving abroad and the local people and partners they seek to help, as an Advisory Board Member.[79]

In 2011, McChrystal advocated instituting anational serviceprogram in the United States. He stated, "'Service member' should not apply only to those in uniform, but to us all... America is falling short in endeavors that occur far away from any battlefield: education, science, politics, the environment, and cultivating leadership, among others. Without a sustained focus on these foundations of our society, America's long-term security and prosperity are at risk."[80][81]

McChrystal's memoir,My Share of the Task,published by Portfolio of thePenguin Group,was released on January 7, 2013.[82]The autobiography had been scheduled to be released in November 2012, but was delayed due to security clearance approvals required from the Department of Defense. Portfolio publishers stated, "We have decided to delay the publication date of General McChrystal's book,My Share of the Task,as the book continues to undergo a security review by the Department of Defense... General McChrystal has spent 22 months working closely with military officials to make sure he follows all the rules for writing about the armed forces, including special operations. "[83]

On January 8, 2013, McChrystal appeared onMSNBC'sMorning Joeprogram, in which he endorsed stronger U.S. gun control laws, saying that assault weapons were for the battlefield, not schools or streets.[84]

He established a consultancy firm, McChrystal Group, in 2011 which uses the slogan "Bringing Lessons from the Battlefield to Boardroom".[85]It includes researchers, practitioners and former military officers.[86]

In 2014, McChrystal endorsedSeth Moulton,a Massachusetts Democratic congressional hopeful, attempting to unseat RepresentativeJohn F. Tierneyin the Democratic primary. Having never before made an endorsement, McChrystal said he endorsed Moulton, a Marine veteran, because theUnited States Congresscould benefit from a man of his character.[87] In 2015, McChrystal's second book "Team of Teams" was released and aimed at business organizations and their leaders. With his co-authors, Tantum Collins, David Silverman and Chris Fussell, McChrystal describes how he and his staff remade the Joint Special Operations Task Force in the Middle East to fight a new kind of decentralized, tech-savvy enemy.[citation needed]

In the fall of 2014 McChrystal's townhouse inAlexandria, Virginiawas the addressMichael Flynnused to register his consulting and intelligence business, theFlynn Intel Group.[88]

In January 2016, McChrystal became the chair of the Board ofService Year Alliance—an organization merged fromServiceNation,theFranklin Projectat TheAspen Institute,and the Service Year Exchange. Service Year Alliance aims to make a year of full-time service—a service year—a common expectation and opportunity for young Americans of all backgrounds.[89]McChrystal called on the 2016 presidential candidates to embrace practical solutions to restore social trust in the United States "such as engaging young Americans in a year or more of national service." He has also said, "A service year that teaches young Americans the habits of citizenship and the power of working in teams to build trust is one of the most powerful ways this generation can help restore political and civic responsibility—and in the process help to heal a wounded nation."[90]

In 2016,FiscalNoteannounced that McChrystal had joined the company's board of directors.[91]

In May 2016, McChrystal was a commencement speaker atThe Citadeland received an honorary Doctor of Military Science degree.[92]

After speculation that he might be considered for RepublicanDonald Trump's running mate in the2016 presidential election,McChrystal made it known that he would "decline consideration for any role" in a Trump administration.[93]On November 16, 2016, McChrystal rejected the offer to be president-elect Trump's first choice of Secretary of Defense saying, 'I've been watching the campaign and I don't think I'd be a good fit for the...team. I don't think I would be happy. Also, I'm not sure you'd be happy...'[94]

In May 2020,The Washington Postreported: "A new Democratic-alignedpolitical action committeeadvised by retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal... is planning to deploy technology... to combat online efforts to promote President Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The group,Defeat Disinfo,will... map discussion of the president's claims on social media. It will seek to intervene... through a network of more than 3.4 millioninfluencers... paying users with large followings to take sides against the president. "[95]

On October 1, 2020, on theMorning Joeprogram, McChrystal endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden for president inthat year's election.Despite the two's philosophical differences and the fallout from the 2010Rolling Stonearticle, McChrystal explained Biden and Obama openly listened to his comments during his service, and that disagreements were paramount in a functioning democracy. McChrystal commented, "You have to believe your commander in chief, at the end of the day, is someone you can trust, and I can trust Joe Biden."[96]

McChrystal has a chapter giving advice inTim Ferriss' bookTools of Titans.[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

McChrystal is the son ofMajor GeneralHerbert J. McChrystal(1924–2013), and his wife, Mary Gardner Bright (1925–1971).[8]His grandfather was US ArmyColonelHerbert J. McChrystal Sr.(1895–1954). He is the fourth child in a family of five boys and one girl, all of whom would serve in the military or became military spouses. His older brother, Colonel Scott McChrystal, is a retiredArmy chaplain,and is theendorsing agentfor theAssemblies of God.[97]He is a distant relative of Corporal Charles Edward McChrystal (1922–1944), US Army Corporal and Purple Heart recipient, who died in France during World War II.

McChrystal married Annie Corcoran, also from a military family, in 1977. The couple have one son.[7][10]McChrystal is reported to run 7 to 8 miles (11 to 13 km) daily, eat one meal per day, and sleep four hours a night.[10][98]

Portrayal

[edit]

In May 2017,Netflixreleased the filmWar Machinein whichBrad Pittplays a thinly veiled version of McChrystal named McMahon.[99]It was directed by Animal Kingdom'sDavid Michôdand is an adaptation ofMichael Hastings' bookThe Operators.Hastings wrote theRolling Stonearticle that revealed the friction between McChrystal's staff and Obama's, which ultimately led to McChrystal losing his job.

Dates of Rank
Insignia Rank Date
2LT June 2, 1976
1LT June 3, 1978
CPT August 1, 1980
MAJ July 1, 1987
LTC September 1, 1992
COL September 1, 1996
BG January 1, 2001
MG May 1, 2004
LTG February 16, 2006
GEN June 15, 2009

Awards and decorations

[edit]

According toCouncil on Foreign Relations:[100]

Personal decorations
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
withoak leaf cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal
with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal
with three oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal
with one bronzeservice star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal
with two service stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal
(Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal
(Kuwait)
Unit awards
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Other accoutrements
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab
Ranger Tab
United States Special Operations Command
Combat Service Identification Badge
75th Ranger Regiment
Distinctive unit insignia
Parachutist Badge
(United Kingdom)
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Published works

[edit]
  • McChrystal, Stanley (2013).My Share of the Task: A Memoir.New York: Portfolio/Penguin.ISBN9781591844754.OCLC780480413.
  • McChrystal, Stanley; Collins, Tantum; Silverman, David; Fussell, Chris (2015).Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World.New York: Portfolio/Penguin.ISBN9781591847489.OCLC881094064.
  • McChrystal, Stanley; Eggers, Jeff; Mangone, Jason (2018).Leaders: Myth and Reality.New York: Portfolio/Penguin.ISBN9780525534372.
  • McChrystal, Stanley; Butrico, Anna (2021).Risk: A User's Guide.Portfolio.ISBN978-0593192207.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Nominations Before the Senate Armed Services Committee, First Session, 111th Congress"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on February 19, 2017.RetrievedNovember 12,2012.
  2. ^Bumiller, Elisabeth (July 23, 2010)."McChrystal Ends Service With Regret and a Laugh".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on May 30, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 23,2017.
  3. ^Chandrasekaran, Rajiv; DeYoung, Karen (June 24, 2010)."Petraeus could provide calming influence after leadership change".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on October 27, 2010.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  4. ^abcBumiller, Elizabeth;Mazzetti, Mark(May 13, 2009)."A General Steps From the Shadows".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 4, 2020.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  5. ^Ackerman, Spencer (September 15, 2010)."Stan McChrystal Teams Up with Tina Brown to Save America".Wired.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2018.RetrievedOctober 28,2018.
  6. ^"Obama's Afghan War Decision: A Team of Rivals".All Things Considered.NPR.Archivedfrom the original on December 31, 2018.RetrievedDecember 31,2018.
  7. ^abBeaumont, Peter (September 27, 2009)."Stanley McChrystal: The president's stealth fighter".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on September 7, 2013.RetrievedOctober 5,2009.
  8. ^abSisk, Richard (February 3, 2014)."Gates Wanted McChrystal to Fight for His Job".Military.Archivedfrom the original on February 12, 2021.RetrievedApril 29,2015.
  9. ^"Key players in Gen Stanley McChrystal meeting".BBC News.June 23, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on January 26, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 14,2011.
  10. ^abcdHastings, Michael(July 8–22, 2010)."The Runaway General".Rolling Stone.Archivedfrom the original on July 13, 2010.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  11. ^abWaterman, Shaun (June 23, 2010)."Obama accepts McChrystal's resignation".The Washington Times.Archived fromthe originalon June 28, 2010.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  12. ^abTapper, Jake; Raddatz, Martha; Khan, Huma; Marquez, Miguel (June 23, 2010)."Gen. Stanley McChrystal Relieved of Command, to Be Replaced by Gen. David Petraeus".ABC News.Archived fromthe originalon August 26, 2014.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  13. ^abWilson, Scott; Shear, Michael D. (June 23, 2010)."Obama relieves McChrystal of his duties; names Petraeus as replacement".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on August 12, 2010.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  14. ^Cooper, Helene;Shanker, Thom;Filkins, Dexter(June 23, 2010)."Gen. McChrystal Is Relieved of Command".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on July 25, 2012.RetrievedJune 23,2010.
  15. ^abGearan, Annie (June 28, 2010)."Stanley McChrystal Retiring From The Army After Firing By Obama".The Huffington Post.Archivedfrom the original on March 3, 2016.RetrievedJune 30,2010.
  16. ^"Overview – Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs".Archivedfrom the original on November 7, 2021.RetrievedNovember 7,2021.
  17. ^Ray, Michael."Stanley McChrystal".Encyclopedia Britannica.Archivedfrom the original on July 27, 2022.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  18. ^"Call to Remember".Archivedfrom the original on March 31, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 14,2018.
  19. ^abFinkel, Gal Perl (March 7, 2017)."A NEW STRATEGY AGAINST ISIS".The Jerusalem Post.Archivedfrom the original on March 9, 2017.RetrievedMarch 9,2017.
  20. ^abcdefghi"Lieutenant General Stanley A. McChrystal, Director, Joint Staff".Joint Staff General/Flag Officer Biographies. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Archived fromthe originalon December 8, 2008.
  21. ^My Share of the Task, 32.
  22. ^"McChrystal ISAF Biography".Archived fromthe originalon February 17, 2013.
  23. ^"75th Ranger Regt. wins team trophy at first All-Army Modern Combatives Championship".U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. November 18, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 3,2013.
  24. ^abScarborough, Rowan (October 2, 2006)."In hunt for terrorists in Iraq, general is no armchair warrior".The Washington Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2006.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  25. ^Loughlin, Sean (April 14, 2003)."Pentagon: 'Major combat' over, but smaller fights remain".CNN.Archived fromthe originalon April 15, 2003.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  26. ^My Share of the Task, 93.
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[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the75th Ranger Regiment
1997–1999
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of theJoint Special Operations Command
2003–2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of theInternational Security Assistance Force
2009–2010
Succeeded by