Inquiry views using retired brass as mentors

[unhappycamper]

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said Nov. 19 that she will investigate the military’s use of retired generals and admirals who also work for defense contractors.


Inquiry views using retired brass as mentors
By Tom Vanden Brook and Ken Dilanian - USA Today
Posted : Friday Nov 20, 2009 18:12:03 EST

A Senate oversight panel launched an investigation Thursday into the Pentagon’s use of retired admirals and generals as paid advisers, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Defense Department officials also are reviewing the practice.

Adm. Michael Mullen said the military services were examining their “senior mentor” programs because of concerns raised by a USA Today investigation published Wednesday.

“This is a group of individuals who provide incredibly valuable, seasoned, wise advice,” Mullen said. “But at the same time, we have to be terrific stewards of the taxpayers’ money. We have to be aware of any conflicts of interest or a perception of conflicts of interest.”

His comments came as Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said she will investigate the military’s use of retired generals and admirals who also work for defense contractors. In a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, McCaskill called for the Pentagon turn over a large volume of records by Dec. 22.

McCaskill, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on contracting oversight, wrote to Gates that the story “raised disturbing questions about the ways in which defense contractors might be influencing the (Defense Department) through the ‘senior mentors.’ ”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/11/gns_military_mentors_folo_112009w/