November is General's Month

It certainly has been a month with generals being in the news.  The latest article is one about the perquisites of the job.  Of course, like all military men the generals receive free housing and subsidies for food and uniform.  However, generals receive a few things that other military - and civilian - workers don't: executive jets, palatial homes, drivers, security guards and aides to carry their bags, press their uniforms and track their schedules in 10-minute increments. Their food is prepared by gourmet chefs. If they want music with their dinner parties, their staff can summon a string quartet or a choir.

Former Defense Secretary Gates lived next door to Mike Mullen when he was chief of staff.  Some comments by Gates:

“I was often jealous because he had four enlisted people helping him all the time,” Gates said in response to a question after a speech Thursday. He wryly complained to his wife that “Mullen’s got guys over there who are fixing meals for him, and I’m shoving something into the microwave. And I’m his boss.”

And the pension is not too shabby either - over $230,000 a year.