Stan the Man: From Afghanistan to the Ivory Tower
General Stanley McChrystal--remember him? He's been off the radar since Rolling Stone published that infamous--and entertaining--profile of him where he said rather unflattering things about the vice president and others. In the maelstrom that ensued, the general was recalled to Washington, where President Obama et al accepted his resignation. Not too long after that, Yale announced that it was bringing McChrystal on to teach a seminar called Leadership.
But aren't you curious: how has this rugged, no-nonsense general adjusted to the airy world of academia?
According to another fascinating--if more tame--profile of him, from the Yale Daily News, McChrystal has adjusted quite well. It turns out that the general makes an excellent professor--but he doesn't want to be called "Professor McChrystal." He insists that his students call him "Stan":
Though class does not begin until 9:20 each Tuesday morning, the seminar room begins to fill with students at 9. One enters the classroom and plops his backpack in a chair. He gulps down a 5-Hour Energy shot, then tosses the plastic container into the trash can and walks to the back of the room, where he pours himself a cup of coffee.
McChrystal had already arrived for office hours at 8. Today, he sports blue jeans and an orange plaid button-down, with his shirt sleeves rolled above his elbows. His Timberland boots match a lean but brawny physique; one wouldn’t be surprised — based on his appearance — to learn McChrystal was once a part of the military.
His 34-year career, which culminated in his position as top commander of American forces in Afghanistan, ended following a controversial Rolling Stone article first available online in late June.
But he doesn’t look out of place for a teacher, either.
“I was excited to do it, very much so,” McChrystal says of his new job as a professor of this weekly seminar at Yale. “I think I’ve grown a lot and I think I will keep growing.” He is teaching the same course again this semester.
His students aren’t quite sure if they should call him “Professor,” though on the first day of class, McChrystal told them he preferred “Stan.” Many said they are reluctant to do so, and have yet to address him as such in person. Still, students interviewed over halfway through the course said they had grown more comfortable with both each other and their famous professor.
McChrystal said he still wished they would more frequently challenge what he, and his guests, present. Yalies can be too polite, McChrystal says...
“The point of today is to understand trust and relationships, which underpin the difference between success and failure,” McChrystal says as an opening.
He has brought with him guest Sir Graeme Lamb, the former Lieutenant General of the British army who worked with McChrystal’s team in Afghanistan....
Arguably one of McChrystal’s closest friends, Lamb has flown from Europe to be here for these two hours. And McChrystal and his wife would later spend Thanksgiving with Lamb’s family in London.
On the board, Lamb writes the factors he sees as having motivated him throughout his military career: people (he underlines this twice), then purpose, then pay.
And--wait for it--here comes the best part of the article:
“Although I’m getting paid jack sh-t for this,” [Lamb] remarked jokingly to McChrystal. His friend was prepared with an immediate counter: “You get what you’re worth.”
The article is truly a must-read. Check it out here.
- Comment (5)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (1)
Comments :
Jun '10
Re: Stan the Man: From Afghanistan to the Ivory Tower
I just clicked over & scrolled down to the comments. Dear Lord........what a smug bunch.
Thanks for the tip, Emily. I liked McChrystal & hope the piece confimrs that.
Re: Stan the Man: From Afghanistan to the Ivory Tower
Yes, indeed. The campus liberals can't be too happy with McChystal there. Here's one comment from the YDN piece:
May '10
Re: Stan the Man: From Afghanistan to the Ivory Tower
I'm a couple years older than McChrystal and I'd have a hard time calling him "Stan." Not surprising college-age students are a little awe-struck, I would be.
Think of the opportunity to listen to Stanley McChrystal and Graeme Lamb discurse on Leadership. Hope the students appreciate what they're getting.
May '10
Re: Stan the Man: From Afghanistan to the Ivory Tower
I'm very glad to see McChrystal (I'd probably address him as General) has found a new niche. Hopefully, the presence of such an honorable man will make a few Yalies reconsider their worldview.
Yalies? That's really what they're called?
Jul '10
Re: Stan the Man: From Afghanistan to the Ivory Tower
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed.
Is anyone really surprised that smug, spoiled Ivy League brats are hissing about this?
"Blood and destruction on his hands." Quite the welcoming environment for returning vets, I'm sure.