The Globe and Rent-A-Generals
By
Bob Brewin
Few would begrudge former generals and admirals a buck or two in retirement, but a long Boston Globe piece published Sunday shows in detail how these folks trade on contacts developed in their careers to help their new masters -- defense contractors.
Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, who served as CENTCOM commander from 1997 to 2000, told the Globe that President Dwight D. Eisenhower -- who famously warned against the growth of the military-industrial complex in his farewell address -- would have a problem with today's revolving door between the Pentagon and industry.
But Zinni, who now serves as chairman of the board of BAE Systems - ranked sixth on the Government Executive list of top defense contractors -- told the newspaper his new job "puts meat on the table."
Zinni -- who besides his BAE salary draws 100 per cent of his active-duty salary of more than $14,000 a month -- evidently developed a palate during his service that is better than your average retired master sergeant's.