TV military analyst visits Academy

  • Published
  • By Butch Wehry
  • Academy Spirit staff writer
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey visited Academy leadership and departments during a whirlwind visit to the base May 7. 

Mr. McCaffrey was guest speaker for the 2009 Ira C. Eaker Distinquished Lecture on National Defense Policy. 

"The nature of the armed forces has not changed because of satellites," said the 1964 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy during an interview. "We're very proud of the education the Academy gives but, most of all, what cadets are bringing to the fighting force, which is your characters and leadership abilities. That's going to be your gift to America for five years or so." 

Currently an adjunct professor with the U.S. Military Academy, the NBC and MSNBC military analyst said that "graduating cadets are going to have an adventure the likes of which you can't believe. Some of them will be with Afghanistan's Provincial Reconstruction Teams. Some will fly high performance aircraft. They'll do cyber warfare and make a shining g contribution to national defense." 

Mr. MCaffrey noted the bonds forged between Academy cadets and cadets from all points on the face of the earth. 

The 67-year-old said his generation is filled with gratitude for those who joined the military when the United States is at war. He said America will never again have a service unique conflict.

"The Air Force is a fundamental to the nation in terms of a military context," he said. "Future grads will understand a foreign country's operations, culture and history. Knowing a foreign language has become like learning how to swim." 

He's been to Cuba's Guantanamo Bay, the Iraq Abu Ghraib dentention center and other holding areas searching for U.S. military values, and believes the United States hasn't lost its moral high ground. 

"One of the things that the international community admire about us is the American values," the general said. "Grads must still live out the values they learned at the Air Force Academy along with values that came from parents, coaches and religious leaders. We come from a society of good people who pay their taxes, work hard and don't break the law."