Report: 70 Percent Of Retired Generals Took Jobs With Defense Contractors Or Consultants

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/defense-contractors-generals_n_2160771.html

Report: 70 Percent Of Retired Generals Took Jobs With Defense Contractors Or Consultants
the Huffington Post
By Luke Johnson
Posted: 11/19/2012 5:11 pm EST Updated: 11/20/2012 1:11 am EST

A report released Monday by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and the Brave New Foundation found that 70 percent of retired three-and-four star generals took jobs with defense contractors or consultants, a figure that has actually declined in recent years.

The report found that 76 out of 108 top generals took such jobs from 2009 to 2011, and a few continued to advise the Department of Defense while on the payroll of contractors. The report cited Gen. James Cartwright, who was elected to a paid position on Raytheon's board of directors while serving on the Defense Policy Board. Adm. Gary Roughead also served on the board while joining the board of Northrop Grumman, earning $115,000 per year.

Eighty percent of generals retiring from 2004 to 2008 took such jobs, according to a 2010 Boston Globe investigation.

The report didn't find a causal link between the revolving door and specific contracts. However, the report cites statistics showing 2011 spending at the five largest defense contractors -- Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman -- at $100 billion, with at least nine retiring top generals and admirals taking positions at the firms.