Gates: Cartwright not passed over for JCS job - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Gates: Cartwright not passed over for JCS job

Defense Secretary Robert Gates denounced speculation that a four-star Marine general was passed over for the military’s top job because he broke ranks with the Pentagon brass in 2009 and opposed a troop surge in Afghanistan.

Marine Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright — often referred to as President Obama’s “favorite general” — was considered a front-runner to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. However, in a surprise move, the White House nominated Army Gen. Martin Dempsey for the job on May 30.

Dempsey, 59, will leave his current post as Army Chief of Staff, which he held for less than two months. Dempsey served as a division commander in Iraq in 2003 and later led efforts to train and equip the Iraqi security forces. More recently, he oversaw the command that shapes Army training and doctrine.

Cartwright was a key figure during the White House’s 2009 strategy review for Afghanistan, and was criticized inside the Pentagon for opposing the major troop increases backed by other top defense officials, according to an account in Bob Woodward’s book “Obama’s War.”

Gates rejected suggestions that Afghan strategy review — which ultimately led to an additional 30,000 troops in December 2009 — played any role the decision to select Dempsey for the top job.

“I will tell you that some of the negative things that have been reported as influencing the decision, for example, the Afghan piece, are completely wrong — have nothing to do with whatsoever,” Gates told reporters while traveling in Asia on June 1.

Cartwright’s critics say he is an introvert who has little combat experience.

Cartwright’s prospects were dimmed in part by allegations that he fraternized with a young woman on his staff. The Defense Department Inspector General’s office investigated the allegations and found no evidence of fraternization but faulted Cartwright for allowing a female staff member to pass out drunk in his hotel room while the staff was visiting Tbilisi, Georgia.

The IG report began in 2009 and was completed in 2010.

Gates declined to discuss the White House’s internal deliberations and praised Cartwright’s career.

“Hoss Cartwright is one of the finest officers I’ve ever worked with,” Gates said. “I think he has been an outstanding vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I think he had made an enormous contribution and I’ve enjoyed working with him for four years and consider him a friend. And he has rendered extraordinary service to the American people,” Gates said.