Michael S. Tucker - Assignment in Wake of Walter Reed Army Medical Center Controversy

Assignment in Wake of Walter Reed Army Medical Center Controversy

On February 18, 2007, the Washington Post began publishing a series of articles outlining cases of neglect at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center reported by wounded soldiers and their family members.

As additional coverage by the Post and other news outlets continued, congressional hearings convened, and a growing scandal emerged. The sitting commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Major General Donald Weightman, resigned his command, and Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey was asked to step down as well, with the Army promising further restructuring and leadership changes to address the situation.

On March 8, 2007, Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard A. Cody’s announced that General Tucker would report to Washington to take over the Deputy Commander position at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as part of a major “leadership restructuring at Walter Reed….designed to attack problems and lapses exposed” in the growing scandal. Additionally, General Cody expressed his wish to “ensure that veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive the care and respect they deserve” and offered his belief that “new leadership is key to fixing problems that let outpatient soldiers fall through the cracks.” Explaining the Army’s selection of a non-medical corps Tucker, General Cody pointed to Tucker’s experience as a combat officer:

"He understands soldiers. He understands leading in combat. He understands how to run large organizations. He's going to be the guy that we look to to be the soldiers' and families' advocate as they go through inpatient and outpatient, but also he's going to be the bureaucratic buster. . . and take on this bureaucracy that at times frustrates our soldiers."