The Long Game

I have now officially lost count of how many U.S. Secretaries of Defense have come and gone since I first joined the COTS Journal staff back in 2002. But if it seems like I’ve given more attention to outgoing SecDef Ashton Carter than any other, you’re not imagining it. I must admit I’m a fan. The main reason I suppose is that his interest and emphasis on technology fits with my own point of view as a technologist. As this issue goes to print, it’s looking certain that Retired Marine General James Mattis will be approved as the Defense Secretary for the next Administration. But here I will devote this column to Ash Carter one last time.