Robert Gates actually said...

the cost in treasure and in the blood of our young men and women is always far higher than if we had remained strong and prepared all along

Gates highlighted the high costs of military unpreparedness.

10/20/2015

More Robert Gates Quotes

He is deeply knowledgeable about the international scene and geopolitics.

Without proper and predictable funding, no amount of reform or clever reorganization will provide America with a military capable of accompl...

I soon learned that the only way I could get significant new or additional equipment to commanders in the field in weeks or months, not year...

the real problem with United States policy in the Middle East is the lack of a clear strategy.