Navy Adm. Charles “Chas” Richard is a man of many talents — among them, serving as the 11th commander of U.S. Strategic Command, a role he’s held since November 2019. But apparently, among Richard’s other strategic capabilities is a penchant for motivational office decorations.
Speaking during a conference held by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Wednesday, Richard in prerecorded comments alluded to his penchant for workplace artistry with a select disclosure: “I keep pictures of Xi, Putin, Kim and the Ayotollah on my wall, under the words ‘Not Today.'”
Richard was clearly referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, and Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Unfortunately, we have no firm proof that this is actually the case: When reached for comment by Task & Purpose, however, a Strategic Command official confirmed the presence of Richard’s office furnishings but was unable to provide photographic evidence due to his office’s status as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility
“I can confirm that Adm. Richard does indeed have the mentioned on his office wall,” spokeswoman Karen Singer told Task & Purpose. “However, we cannot provide a photo because his office is a SCIF.”
We get it, but also: what a load of bullshit. We hereby call upon Richard to provide proof that he, the man with his finger on America’s nuclear arsenal, has something significantly more moto than a ‘Hang In There’ kitty poster on his office wall.
That’s it. That’s the post. Consider this a challenge, Adm. Richard. We’ll be waiting.
Related: We salute whoever made Steve Carell head of Space Force at the Air Force museum