"Do you have any regrets?" Of course I do.

The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the Department for the Commander-in-Chief and the country.

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

We're not running out of [fixed] targets. Afghanistan is.

Don't accept the post or stay unless you have an understanding with the President that you're free to tell him what you think "with the bark off" and you have the courage to do it.

We know where they are [Iraq's weapons of mass destruction]. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat.

When starting at the bottom, be willing to learn from those at the top.