Retired military officers cash in as well-paid consultants
November 18, 2009 by Bob Higgins · 9 Comments
By Tom Vanden Brook, Ken Dilanian and Ray Locker, USA Today
Six months after Marine Lt. Gen. Gary McKissock retired in 2002, he did what many other ex-military leaders do: He joined the board of directors of a defense contractor, a company doing business with his former service.
McKissock also had a second job. The Marines brought him back as an adviser, at double the rate of pay he made on active duty. Since 2005, the Marines have awarded McKissock contracts worth $1.2 million, in addition to his military pension of about $119,000 a year.
McKissock is one of at least 158 retired admirals and generals the Pentagon has hired to offer advice under an unusual arrangement. Most of the retired officers, one to four stars in rank, have been paid hundreds of dollars an hour by the military even as they worked for companies seeking Defense Department contracts, a USA TODAY investigation found. That’s in addition to pensions of $100,000 to $200,000 a year for officers with 30 or more years of service.
MILITARY MENTORS: 158 retired generals consulting for the Pentagon
As "senior mentors," as the military calls them, the retired officers help run war games and offer advice to former colleagues. Some mentors make as much as $330 an hour as part-time government advisers, more than triple what their rate of pay was as high-level, active-duty officers. They earn more — far more, several mentors said in interviews — as consultants and board members to defense companies.
Retired generals have taken jobs with defense contractors for decades, reaping rewards for themselves and their companies through their contacts and insights. But the recent growth in the use of mentors has created a new class of individuals who enjoy even more access than a typical retired officer, and they get paid by the military services while doing so. Most are compensated both by taxpayers and industry, with little to prevent their private employers from using knowledge they obtain as mentors in seeking government work.
Nothing is illegal about the arrangements. In fact, there are no Pentagon-wide rules specific to the various mentor programs, which differ from service to service.
Based on interviews and a review of public records, USA TODAY found:
• Of the 158 retired generals and admirals identified as having worked for the military as senior mentors, 80% had financial ties to defense contractors, including 29 who were full-time executives of defense companies. Those with industry ties have earned salaries, fees or stock options as consultants, board members or full-time employees of defense firms.
Read more at USA Today
I blame this nonsense on the taxpayer for allowing this to happen. It may not be illegal but it is an unethical boondoggle. They contribute very little. Just look at the wars that they "advised" us upon!
CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)
so true a great number of this high rankers cant hid they ass with two hands its a crime, many are drunks and bullshiters to no end retired e7 also gen contractor for 30 years
Imagine this, these old soldiers retire, go home and teach the grandchildren what HONOR is, then teach them about America, otherwise, a good education on American History, show them historical places, give them some idea of where there from. HOWEVER, the reality is these old jackasses can’t live off of $100K and have to take more monies forgetting about the grandchildren completely. The young learn a lot from WISE elders, trouble is, there are so few WISE elders around, just a greedy bunch of jackasses. Go home and garden, teach the grandkids.
Guess this is the “Patriotism” American style.
I want to know where do I sign up for these federal contracts and consulting opportunities? I am a woman veteran who needs to feel economically stimulated for the past three years of this recession. I served in the United States Army National Guard and I supported a military campaign to Bosnia. I am just as qualified as the generals to consulting opportunities with the same benefits and perks.
you are most likely more qualified but you have no chance
First of all, thank you for your service, ma’am.
Please talk to me.
A special clientele needs you, and WILL pay you: small businesses who run strong companies and offer high-value, high-quality, proven goods and services that the military can use…but they don’t know how to sell to government. The system is optimized for big companies…but small ones with precision guidance can win. The secret? Insight from people like you, who can keep them from wasting thousands of dollars and months of time, and instead pinpoint exactly who to reach and how.
I am looking for a few good women and men: Veterans who combine their knowledge of the service, passion to see military missions get the support they need from good vendors, with genuine enjoyment in working with businesses.
The small business world does indeed value your experience, and longs to learn from you.
Judy.Bradt@SummitInsight.com
Last summer, I read an article stating that stated Joe V. Williams, III, of Cleveland, Tn, was traveling to Florida to speak on matters of national security.
He is a member of a militia and was a reservist in the past. His age is between 62 and 67.
If this man is being paid to speak on national security matters, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, something is extremely amiss.
Mr. Williams is a negligent landlord, is owner of 400 plus properties in Cleveland and possibly more in GA, KY, CA and AL. The epa has been investigating him as well as the IRS for nonpayment of taxes.
His company, Louisville Land had liens on it as of April this year, and tenants were granted relief by Judge Swafford in Bradley County Circuit court.
Mr. Williams attempted to steal cemetery plots at Fort Hill from a resident who had pre-bought. Fortunaty, she had a deed.
Mr. Williams failed to tell a blind woman that he had put a For Sale sign in front of her rental, and unceremoniously tossed out a long term disabled resident.
The ‘People’s Press’ of Bradley County considers him the most hated man in Cleveland, save one.
The nation needs security from him. He follows no rules but his own, and inexplicibly gets away with it almost as often as not.
The USA we were sold as kids is a myth.
If it ever existed, it was sold down the road eons ago.
This is the generation that will pay for it.