Tuesday, June 16, 2009

CG Talks About Final Days On Post

The Fort Benning CG Talks about his short time on Post.

I am proud to say I got my first military coin today….from the CG at Fort Benning none the less.

Major General Michael Barbero sat down with me (and the rest of the media) to chat about his final days on Post.

He was very candid about his soft spot for Fort Benning and his reluctance to leave Columbus. He even told us he was shocked when he found out about his transfer…........ the question remains where is he going? I am not even sure he knows at this point. The General told us after the interview it’s not uncommon for this to happen. The Army announces a change of command, and then the outgoing CG has to wait for his orders.  I can’t stop thinking about the packing nightmare for the Barbero’s. Six months in is likely just enough time to get settled (especially if you think you are going stay for two years), and now they have box it all back up, without even knowing where they are headed. Stress, stress, stress. But then again, if you shoot big guns and fight in the Middle East it is hardly too much of a bother.

I was amazed at how friendly the General was. Before our interview even started he took us into his office and showed us a picture of two past CG’s. He shook everyone’s hand, and before we left he followed up with a coin, reminding us if we saw him without it we will owe him a beer.

I am stashing the coin in my purse…... just in case.