88 Quotes by Robert M. Gates

In the privacy of their offices, members of Congress could be calm, thoughtful, and sometimes insightful and intelligent in discussing issues. But when they went into an open hearing, and the little red light went on atop a television camera, it had the effect of a full moon on a werewolf. Many would posture and preach, with long lectures and harshly critical language; some become raving lunatics.

When I was the director of Central Intelligence in the early ’90s, I tried to get the Air Force to partner with us in building drones. And they didn’t want to, because they had no pilots.

I know that if everyone is a hero, then no one truly is. I concede the term is thrown around far too casually.

I’ve seen, all too often in my career, people coming in to lead agencies and organizations and trying to impose change from the top down. Never works. You never have enough time.

Of the estimated forty million men and women who have served in the armed forces since the Civil War, fewer than 3,500 have received the Medal of Honor, the highest honor the United States can bestow, some 60 percent posthumously.

I don’t think any president that I worked with has ever said ’pretty please.

I always thought Obama was “presidential.” He treated the office of the presidency with respect. I rarely saw him in the Oval Office with a coat and tie, and he always conducted himself with dignity. He was a man of personal integrity, and in his personal behavior – at least to the extent I could observe it – he was an excellent role model... I thought Obama was first-rate in both intellect and temperament.” Page 300.

I had learned at Defense, a firm deadline was necessary to move the bureaucracy.

Your countrymen owe you their freedom and their security. They sleep safely at night and pursue their dreams during the day because you stand the watch and protect them... You are the best America has to offer. My admiration and affection for yo is with limit, and I will think about you and your families and pray for you every day for the rest of my life. God Bless you.