Where Are They Now? (Military Edition)

David Petraeus. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The announcement in May that David Petraeus would join the private-equity firm KKR & Co. marked the retired general’s reemergence into public life after his November resignation as CIA director amid a strange extramarital-affair scandal. As Washington marks the tenth anniversary of the Iraq invasion this year, nearly all of the senior military leaders associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have left. Here’s a guide to their lives since.

David Petraeus

Then: CIA director; commander, US Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan; commander, US Central Command

Now: Chairman of new “institute” for public policy and investments at private-equity firm KKR & Co.

How He Spends His Days: Making it rain; hanging out frequently at the Cosmos Club in DC.

Current Career Goal: Encouraging people to forget ignominious departure from the government.

Stanley McChrystal

Then: Commander, US forces in Afghanistan

Now: Cofounder of and partner in McChrystal Group

How He Spends His Days: As cofounder and partner of the McChrystal Group.

Current Career Goal: Encouraging people to forget ignominious departure from military after scathing Rolling Stone article.

Michael Hayden

Then: CIA director, National Security Agency director

Now: Principal in Chertoff Group, namesake of ex-Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

How He Spends His Days: Consulting on cybersecurity; talking to journalists about threat of unsecure internet to US security.

Current Career Goal: Reminding people that everything he did at NSA is legal—and that President Obama has continued it all.

Tommy Franks

Then: Commander, US Central Command

Now: Founder, Franks & Associates

How He Spends His Days: Promoting the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum in Oklahoma; living on cattle ranch.

Current Career Goal: Encouraging people to forget that he let Osama Osama bin Laden escape at Tora Bora.

Anthony Zinni

Then: Commander, US Central Command; special envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority

Now: On board of directors of BAE Systems

How He Spends His Days: Sitting on lots of other boards for companies, universities, and organizations more.

Current Career Goal: Reminding people he’s available for paying gigs. Book him at GeneralZinni.com!

Ricardo Sanchez

Then: Commander, Coalition Ground Forces in Iraq

Now: Ex-Democratic US Senate candidate in Texas

How He Spends His Days: Public speaking, frequently on accountability for public officials and military leaders.

Current Career Goal: Encouraging people to forget ignominious departure from military after Abu Ghraib.

James Mattis

Then: Commander, US Central Command

Now: Retired from military service as of March

How He Spends His Days: Relaxing, reading famously large personal library.

Current Career Goal: Figuring out how to work for Petraeus, McChrystal, or Hayden.

This article appears in the July 2013 issue of The Washingtonian.

Shane Harris