Published December 23, 2015
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he considers the incident that forced the ouster of Gen. Stanley McChrystal "an anomaly, not a systemic problem" in the U.S. military establishment.
Speaking at a Pentagon news conference, Gates said he did not feel that McChrystal's published criticism of civilian superiors resulted from any management breakdown or lapse at the Defense Department. Gates said, "I don't feel so," when asked if there had been a management failure.
President Obama dismissed McChrystal as Afghanistan commander after a magazine interview in which the general and his aides made several disparaging remarks about administration officials. Gates said Thursday that McChrystal had fought valiantly for his country, but that the change in command could not be avoided.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/secretary-gates-calls-mcchrystal-incident-anomaly