The way to do well is to do well.

There is no question but that when one is engaged militarily that there are going to be unintended loss of life.

There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know.

If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying to manage the First Family. They are likely to do fine without your help.

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution.

The worst thing you can do is allow a coalition to determine what your mission is.