Cover title. Interview conducted in 2004. This oral history transcript is a part of the academic year 2004, US Army War College/US Army Military History Institute's Senior Officer Oral History Program, prepared under the auspices of the Institute's Oral History Branch.

Biosketch of Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey -- Childhood memories -- Recollections of Mother and Father -- The West Point years -- Choosing the Infantry -- Recalling Ranger School -- Assignment with the 82nd Airborne and the Dominican Republic Crisis -- Recollections of advising Vietnam Airborne, 1966 -- Assignment with U.S. Army South -- Service with the 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam -- Memories of Walter Reed Hospital -- Description of the Westmoreland Leadership Initiative and the Modern Volunteer Army Office -- Return to West Point -- Comments on mentorship and sponsorship -- Service in Germany -- Insights into Battalion Command -- Comments on the Army War College -- Service with the 9th Infantry Division -- Advice on Brigade Command -- Work as the Assistant Commandant, U.S. Infantry School -- Comments on service with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- Assignment as Director Strategy, Plans, Policy / Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Joint Affairs, United States Army -- Leading the 24th Infantry Division in DESERT SHIELD/STORM -- Tenure as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- Assuming the duties of Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J5 -- Commanding U.S. Southern Command [SOUTHCOM] -- Thoughts on strategic leadership -- Answering the call to be the National Drug Policy Director -- Accomplishments as the National Drug Policy Director -- Description of retirement activities -- Views on cuts to ground forces -- Comments on Army Transformation -- Analysis of the cancellation of the Crusader and Comanche Programs -- Predictions about Saddam Hussein's Army and Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF] -- Thoughts on the capture of Saddam Hussein -- Views on countering North Korea -- Discussion of Ballistic Missile Defense -- The importance of the War in Afghanistan -- Evaluating the military as an Element of Power -- Uncovering sleep cells -- Comments on coastal security -- Views on U.S. Northern Command [NORTHCOM] -- Analysis of the Patriot Act -- Thoughts on the future of West Point -- Weighing in on the Drug War -- Debating the draft -- Insight into the importance of joint operations -- Rating Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld -- Hopes for legacy.