Robert Gates actually said...

Senator Kaine will recall the reaction when we--when I shuttered Joint Forces Command in Norfolk.

Gates recalls the backlash from shuttering a military command.

10/20/2015

More Robert Gates Quotes

The idea of making the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB) a member of the JCS has been debated for quite some time.

Although Pakistan continues to assist in the fight against extremists, its participation does not come without a domestic price.

Your point that the Guard and Reserve are manned by professionals is a very good one.

I reaffirm my belief that CNGB should not be a member of the JCS.