tb,
I don't think it is out of the blue. Last year Wayne said quite publicly, "You have to be crazy to want to live and work in DC." Yet, Downing does not have an ounce of quit in him. I am sure he would stay if he felt he had a substantial contribution to make that could not be done by someone else.
He has been a member of the president's advisory committee on terrorism since day one along with General Carl Steiner and 24 other highly skilled individuals. But his first love has always been an active role with Special Forces and SpecOps. I can think of several other reasons than your three or four...health, a book deal, another less visible (classified) role, He may have groomed and be quite comfortable with a successor, or like Sid Shelton and Sid Shachnow, he may, after over 40 years of being on the leading edge of Special Forces, be ready to retire. Last I heard, Steiner is still involved but lives in Ky on his Dad's farm and commutes to DC one or two days a week for meetings. Downing's job required full-time presence.
I am seeing more of that lately. It seems 60 or shortly thereafter is when most career SFers opt out if they haven't done so earlier. There are a few exceptions I can think of, but they are all involved in training except one. He still has an active role, but told me yesterday he is ready to go...He is 62. We have been buds since he was 20.
The current crop of SF generals is considered the best ever by everyone. And there are the most ever. All of the old hands are quite comfortable turning over all the reins to them. Even the Command Sergeants Major I know, retired and active, like the current top leadership.
Finally, as you pointed out, SFers do not like politics. He may just be fed up with the DC BS. Including the current incident. Wayne would not like the incident, the apologies nor the dog and pony show on TV. Nor do I believe would he approve of the current field tactics. Many of us believe the biggest current problem is we have yet to take out enough of the bad guys to get submission or even to reduce their desire to fight. This is no time to slack off. We need to continue to press. We need to exert even more pressure right now.
I do agree with you that his expertise will be missed. I also think we have excellent, equally qualified replacements available now. Lt General Kensinger comes to mind. Though I would not rule out a 4th star and another assignment for him soon.
uw |
