Army Surgeon General Kiley Submits Retirement Request

American Forces Press Service


March 12, 2007 – Army Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, the service's surgeon general who has been under fire for shortcomings in outpatient care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, submitted his request to retire from the Army yesterday. Army Maj. Gen. Gale S. Pollock, current deputy surgeon general, immediately assumed the surgeon general's duties, Army officials announced today.

Published reports in February shed light on shortcomings in outpatient care for troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey resigned March 2 over the same matters, and Walter Reed Commander Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman was relieved March 1.

Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren yesterday directed the immediate convening of the required advisory board to recommend a slate of candidates for consideration as the next surgeon general. The board will convene in April.

"We must move quickly to fill this position; this leader will have a key role in moving the way forward in meeting the needs of our wounded warriors," Geren said today. "We have an Army action plan under way under the leadership of the vice chief of staff, Army General (Richard) Cody, and the surgeon general has a critical role in the execution of that plan. I am confident Major General Pollock will ably lead the Army Medical Department during this transition period."

Kiley said yesterday that he submitted his retirement because he felt it was in the best interest of the Army. "I want to allow Acting Secretary Geren, (Chief of Staff) General (Peter) Schoomaker, and the leaders of the Army Medical Command to focus completely on the way ahead and the Army action plan to improve all aspects of soldier care," he said. "We are an Army Medical Department at war, supporting an Army at war. It shouldn't be and it isn't about one doctor."

Kiley has been Army surgeon general and commander of U.S. Army Medical Command since Sept. 30, 2004. He served nearly 31 years in the Army.

"It has been my honor and my privilege to serve this nation and her soldiers for over 30 years," Kiley said. "I have the greatest respect for former Secretary Harvey, Acting Secretary Geren, and the senior Army leadership under General Schoomaker and General Cody. And I could not be prouder of the incredible Americans in the Army Medical Command who care for the warriors who have volunteered and sacrificed so much to defend our country and our way of life. I was blessed to have walked among them."

Pollock became deputy surgeon general in October 2006 and is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She received her master of business administration degree from Boston University; a master's in health care administration from Baylor University, a master's in national security and strategy from the National Defense University, and an honorary doctorate of public service from the University of Maryland.

This article was sponsored by police and military personnel who have written books as well as criminal justice online leadership.