Pentagon personnel chief investigated for 'tyrannical' leadership

Pentagon personnel chief investigated for 'tyrannical' leadership
By Megan Scully
National Journal
August 19, 2011

The Pentagon inspector general is investigating Clifford Stanley, the official charged with overseeing the Defense Department's massive personnel bureaucracy, after a spate of highly detailed allegations of gross mismanagement and abuse of power. He's accused of firing respected senior staff, neglecting programs for wounded troops, and using limited funds on expensive consultants and a lavish new conference room.

Senior civilian and military officials filed at least four separate complaints with the IG's office and to Capitol Hill since May, alleging that Stanley, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, has hurt the military's ability to deliver crucial services to troops and their families. Stanley, a retired two-star Marine Corps general, has been on the job since February 2010.

Stanley did not respond to email and phone messages seeking comment for this article. Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said "the department is aware of the allegations and takes them seriously." She added, "As a matter of policy, the DOD IG does not confirm or deny the existence of, or comment upon investigations or investigative issues."

In the complaints, four of which were obtained by National Journal, Stanley is portrayed as vindictive, wasteful, and unfit for service. The officials charge in their complaints that he has largely ignored pervasive problems such as sexual assault and the rising rates of suicides among military personnel. Other senior officials outside Stanley's office have stepped in to handle some of his core responsibilities, according to a July 11 complaint filed by unidentified senior civilians and military personnel.

"He has created a dysfunctional command marked by fear and mistrust through a capricious, tyrannical and arbitrary leadership," the complaint states. "Waste, fraud and abuse of power are rampant. Even if he were competent, his destructive leadership would assure 'P&R' (personnel and readiness) mission failure."
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