Summary

Gates says that when he became the Secretary of Defense, he was dismayed to find that despite the fact that the country was fighting two wars and losing both, there was little sense of urgency, concern or passion in the Pentagon. He attributes this to the fact that everyone thought both conflicts would be over quickly. He says that the Department of Defense is structured to plan and prepare for war but not to fight one. The process for procuring the items most necessary to help commanders and soldiers in the field typically takes years. As an example, he cites his successful effort to get thousands of mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPS) purchased, built and delivered, saying they have saved the lives and limbs of countless soldiers who otherwise would have been the victims of IEDs. Another example involves his...