There was some speculation that, having been allowed to resign after a gross breach of military protocol, Stanley McChrystal would be required to suffer the indignity of retiring at reduced rank, perhaps at his permanent rank of Major (2-star) General. That appears not to be happening:
McChrystal was sacked about a year after receiving his fourth star — half the time normally necessary to qualify for a four-star general’s retirement income of $12,475 per month, before taxes, according to Pentagon estimates based on his 34 years of service.
“We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that he, somebody who has served the country as ably as he has, can retire at a four-star level,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters.
[…]
Had Obama not been willing to assist McChrystal, he would have retired on a three star general’s salary of $11,736 per month, before taxes, according to Pentagon estimates, taking into consideration McChrystal’s time in the military.
It may well have sent a stronger message to have demoted McChrystal — although it would almost certainly have made him into a martyr in some circles. Obama’s cool handling of this — allowing McChrystal to resign rather than be fired, praising the general’s service while announcing the move, and now this — have assured that this won’t happen.
