https://www.notus.org/defense/general-thomas-bussiere-air-force-retire
https://archive.is/X1y2o
A top Air Force general announced his retirement this week for “personal and family reasons” — one of a number of high-profile departures from the military since President Donald Trump took office.
“After much reflection and with a full heart, Barb and I have made a difficult decision to request retirement from the United States Air Force for personal and family reasons,” Gen. Thomas Bussiere wrote in a post on Facebook Tuesday, referencing his wife.
Bussiere, who was appointed by Trump and was serving as the head of Air Force Global Strike Command, is departing nearly two months after Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Allvin announced he would be retiring just halfway through his term.
The Trump administration nominated Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, a four-star general and fighter pilot, to fill Allvin’s role.
“He is a combat-tested aviator and has the experience of leading combat forces around the globe,” Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said in a statement. “I have full confidence that he will make sure Airmen embody a warrior ethos and are ready to defend our nation and maintain our dominance against all adversaries.”
Since the start of Trump’s second term, the Pentagon has seen a host of other departures including Dan Caldwell, one of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s senior advisers, and two chiefs of staff in April who were placed on leave amid an investigation into leaks at the department. Following the suspensions, press assistant John Ullyot was asked to resign.
A military-wide crackdown on speaking to the press has created an environment of mistrust, The New York Times reported, with Hegseth denying promotions based on unsubstantiated allegations of speaking to the media.
The Pentagon has also changed its credential process for journalists to include polygraph testing, and has plans to impose polygraphs and nondisclosure agreements for all military service members, civilian employees and contract workers.
In addition to Allvin’s departure, Trump directed the firings of Coast Guard commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, Gen. C.Q. Brown as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Gen. James Slife as the Air Force’s vice chief of staff.
Bussiere was previously nominated to serve as the Air Force’s vice chief of staff in August before his nomination was pulled by the Trump administration last month.
Bussiere’s retirement came just hours after Hegseth’s ideologically tinged speech to hundreds of top admirals and generals, who were asked to fly in from around the world for the occasion. At the event in Virginia, Hegseth spoke out against “fat troops” and repeated complaints he had made previously about what he saw as liberal policies in the military. At one point, Hegseth even suggested that any military officials who disagreed with his worldview should quit.
“If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” Hegseth said Monday.
Hegseth also announced that a slew of new physical fitness requirements would also apply to generals.
Bussiere did not mention the speech in his resignation note, instead suggesting that he would seek other ways to support the U.S. military after his service ends.
“While I’m stepping away from active duty, my commitment to service remains. I look forward to finding new ways to support our Air Force, our national defense and the incredible people who make it all possible,” Bussiere wrote.
https://archive.is/X1y2o
A top Air Force general announced his retirement this week for “personal and family reasons” — one of a number of high-profile departures from the military since President Donald Trump took office.
“After much reflection and with a full heart, Barb and I have made a difficult decision to request retirement from the United States Air Force for personal and family reasons,” Gen. Thomas Bussiere wrote in a post on Facebook Tuesday, referencing his wife.
Bussiere, who was appointed by Trump and was serving as the head of Air Force Global Strike Command, is departing nearly two months after Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Allvin announced he would be retiring just halfway through his term.
The Trump administration nominated Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, a four-star general and fighter pilot, to fill Allvin’s role.
“He is a combat-tested aviator and has the experience of leading combat forces around the globe,” Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said in a statement. “I have full confidence that he will make sure Airmen embody a warrior ethos and are ready to defend our nation and maintain our dominance against all adversaries.”
Since the start of Trump’s second term, the Pentagon has seen a host of other departures including Dan Caldwell, one of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s senior advisers, and two chiefs of staff in April who were placed on leave amid an investigation into leaks at the department. Following the suspensions, press assistant John Ullyot was asked to resign.
A military-wide crackdown on speaking to the press has created an environment of mistrust, The New York Times reported, with Hegseth denying promotions based on unsubstantiated allegations of speaking to the media.
The Pentagon has also changed its credential process for journalists to include polygraph testing, and has plans to impose polygraphs and nondisclosure agreements for all military service members, civilian employees and contract workers.
In addition to Allvin’s departure, Trump directed the firings of Coast Guard commandant Adm. Linda Fagan, Gen. C.Q. Brown as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Gen. James Slife as the Air Force’s vice chief of staff.
Bussiere was previously nominated to serve as the Air Force’s vice chief of staff in August before his nomination was pulled by the Trump administration last month.
Bussiere’s retirement came just hours after Hegseth’s ideologically tinged speech to hundreds of top admirals and generals, who were asked to fly in from around the world for the occasion. At the event in Virginia, Hegseth spoke out against “fat troops” and repeated complaints he had made previously about what he saw as liberal policies in the military. At one point, Hegseth even suggested that any military officials who disagreed with his worldview should quit.
“If the words I’m speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign,” Hegseth said Monday.
Hegseth also announced that a slew of new physical fitness requirements would also apply to generals.
Bussiere did not mention the speech in his resignation note, instead suggesting that he would seek other ways to support the U.S. military after his service ends.
“While I’m stepping away from active duty, my commitment to service remains. I look forward to finding new ways to support our Air Force, our national defense and the incredible people who make it all possible,” Bussiere wrote.
