They don’t come tougher than General Stanley McChrystal, who was until this evening the top US military commander in Afghanistan. Up at dawn for an eight mile run, allowing himself only one meal a day, surviving on four hour’s sleep, he was the soldier’s soldier who outran, outfought and outsmarted not just the enemy but his own men. As they will have said, echoing the Duke of Wellington’s famous quote “I don’t know what he’ll do to the enemy but by God he frightens me”. But McChrystal was brought down by the power of the media.
A few ill chosen remarks to Rolling Stone magazine (who ever thought it had such power today?) and he was hustled back to Washington and relieved of his command faster than you can say “I was quoted out of context”! For that is the clue to successful handling of the media. Always be aware of the context – in this case the need for a clear, consistent message which re-inforces that the military operation is at one with the political will of the nation. No matter what the frustrations, insulting your President and the US Ambassador does give the enemy ammunition.
His sacking was because, as President Obama said, his conduct “undermines the civilian control of the military that’s at the core of our democratic system”. McChrystal is not alone. Anyone in a senior position in any organisation needs to be aware of the immense strength that comes from a united front. And how quickly the axe can fall on a lonely head after a clever remark to a journalist.
Picture: www.laprogressive.com
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