Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Pentagon "mentors" all but gone

Last year, a retiring general or admiral -- after 30 years of service and a pension set at 75% of one's base pay -- could look forward to a new role as a "Pentagon mentor."

Not anymore. Of the 355 mentors serving in 2010, only four remain. Requirements to disclose their business ties, a $180,000 cap on pay (an hourly rate of only a third of what they used to make), and limits on working in private sector were cited as reasons for quitting the program [Source].

Celebrate the "glare of public scrutiny" worked this time. In truth, these retirees were not "mentors" in the tradtitional sense, but promoters of weapons systems made by their consulting clients.

I'm glad to see democracy and a free press working for the public good this time.

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