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My job is to give the president and secretary of defense military advice before they know they need it.

I learned to be far more skeptical of what I'm told by presidents, no matter who the presidents are, and also to be much more cautious, always, in any action or vote that could lead to the use of American military power and most particularly what we call 'boots on the ground.'

I've been in a position before where a president has turned to me in the Oval Office in a difficult moment, without any pleasantries, and said, 'I'm asking you as your president and Commander in Chief to take command of the international security force in Afghanistan.' The only response can be, 'Yes, Mr. President.'

I can give substantive advice to the administration, the president's campaign, or any campaign that would ask for it. And, of course, when I speak I can talk about my views on policy and I have been supportive of the president's policy on leading foreign-policy issues.

Some of the best advice I've had comes from junior officers and enlisted men.

I have great respect and understanding for military commitment due to my own family's involvement with the armed forces.

Under our Constitution, military leaders have no choice but to endorse the president's decision after giving him their best advice.

I'd be happy to provide advice if anybody asked me no matter who the President is.

I was planning, I told everybody, to take him on the road with me. At the very least I fully expected to keep up my hectic pace, and my passion as a war correspondent.