You say the name General David H. Petraeus to people and to be really honest- depending on what decade they were born in- you get a variety of answers. In my decade, it's a man that's in my high school history books, a General who's a hero and now an educator and advisor. My biggest surprise with the General? I may not shout I want my MTV in his classroom but hey! General I want my iPad!
So, sit in with us on my Q&A with the General.
1) There's a lot of public policy that you've learned over the years and now you're spending time teaching. What do you notice about your students that has changed over the years? That is, what do you see as their main concern?
I HAVE BEEN A PROFESSOR DURING TWO DIFFERENT PERIODS -- 1985-87, WHEN I TAUGHT INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND ECONOMICS AT WEST POINT; AND 2013-THE PRESENT, WHEN I HAVE LED A SEMINAR AT CUNY'S MACAULAY HONORS COLLEGE AND HELD A JUDGE WIDNEY CHAIR AT USC.
THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY EARLIER TIME TEACHING AND NOW IS THE PRESENCE OF LAPTOPS, CELL PHONES, AND IPADS! THEY ARE BOTH AN AID AND A DISTRACTOR IN THE CLASSROOM -- AND, AFTER DISCUSSION, WE DECIDED THAT STUDENTS WOULD FOREGO THEIR USE IN THE SEMINAR ROOM.
BEYOND THAT, THE "CONCERNS," AS YOU PUT IT, ARE SIMILAR -- MOST IMPORTANTLY BEING WHAT THEY WILL DO AFTER GRADUATION!
(2) Do you notice how the election has changed the views of the students?
I THINK THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN AS STRUCK BY THE GOINGS-ON IN THE CURRENT PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AS HAVE ANY OTHERS!
(3) What do you think is our nation's biggest mistake?
I TEND TO FOCUS ON OUR ACHIEVEMENTS VICE MISTAKES; HOWEVER, I WOULD THINK THAT THE INABILITY TO AGREE ON MEASURES THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE TERRIBLY COSTLY U.S. CIVIL WAR HAVE TO RANK AT THE TOP OF MOST LISTS OF MISTAKES.
(4) You've had an amazing life, and your actions changed history in Iraq and Afghanistan. What moment in time in Iraq, Afghanistan or maybe somewhere else -- was the most important for you - that you were the most proud of -- and why?
I WAS VERY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE WORN OUR NATION'S UNIFORM FOR OVER 37 YEARS AND THEN TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF THE CIA. AND NOW, FRANKLY, I AM PRIVILEGED TO HAVE THE WONDERFUL PORTFOLIO OF ACTIVITIES IN WHICH I AM PRESENTLY ENGAGED.
THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ENDEAVORS IN WHICH I HAVEN TAKEN PRIDE OVER THE YEARS, NOTING THAT THE ACHIEVEMENTS WERE ALWAYS THOSE OF THE TEAMS OF WHICH I WAS A PART. IF ASKED TO IDENTIFY ONE, I GUESS THE SURGE IN IRAQ HAS TO BE THE ENDEAVOR IN WHICH I TAKE SPECIAL PRIDE, AS THE TEAM IN THAT CASE RETRIEVED A SERIOUSLY OUT-OF-CONTROL SITUATION AND GAVE THE IRAQIS A TREMENDOUS NEW OPPORTUNITY. BUT IT, AGAIN, WAS A TEAM EFFORT -- OF MANY TEAMS, IN FACT -- AND I WAS JUST FORTUNATE TO PLAY A ROLE ON THAT TEAM.
All I can say is to have this guy as a teacher would be amazing - just don't take my ipad!
