Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: (L to R) President-elect Donald Trump speaks as he stands with retired United States Marine Corps general James Mattis after their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 19, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey. Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
A German designed Leopard AS1 Gun Tank from the 1st Armored Regiment (1ARMD) participates in a simulated battle during the Talisman Saber 2005 exercise at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia (AUS).
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The Joint Chiefs of Staff photographed in the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gold Room, more commonly known as The Tank, in the Pentagon on December 14, 2001. From left to right are: U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper, U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James L. Jones Jr., Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard B. Myers, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern E. Clark. DoD photo by Mamie Burke. (Released)
395293 02: A man walks past a large American flag hanging in the window of a Banana Republic store October 3, 2001 in New York City. The American flag has rapidly appeared in storefronts nationwide following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
