The lesson of Petraeus for other generals?

I've
said before the lessons I think other
generals will draw incorrectly
from the fall of David Petraeus. His real mistake, I think, was going directly
from four-star command to the directorship of the CIA. Rather, he should have
taken some time out and reoriented himself. So the real lesson, I think, is
that the time of retirement from high position is a vulnerable moment.

I didn't
think much of Dick Cheney as a vice president, but I think he was a good
defense secretary. I remember being told that when he left that job, he got in
a car and drove across the country alone. Another thing to do might be to go
camping or sailing for a few weeks. The point is to get out of the bubble,
re-connect to the world, and most of all, catch your breath.