Cover title. "This oral history transcript has been produced from a tape-recorded interview with Gen. Sullivan and was conducted by Colonel David Ellis, USA"--Page i. This oral history transcript is a part of the 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. General Sullivan was retired when this interview was conducted.

Early childhood and education -- Entering active duty, 1959 -- First duty assignment, Fort Hood, TX -- Assignment to Korea -- Return to US for Military Advisor Training -- Advisor duty in Vietnam -- Armor Advance Course, Fort Knox, KY -- Marriage -- Assignment to Germany -- Combat Arms Assignment Officer, Heidelberg -- Command and General Staff College -- Return to Vietnam -- Graduate school -- Return to Germany -- Receipt of regular Army commission -- Statement on mentorship -- Thoughts on the quality of soldiers -- Chief of Staff, 1st Infantry Division (FWD) -- Thoughts on pre-command training -- "Hope is not a method" book -- Organization of the 1st Infantry Division (FWD) -- Discussion of armor doctrine -- Friends made in the service -- Five most important people in his life -- Brigade command -- Soldier quality in the 1980s -- The "Boathouse Gang" -- Selection to General Officer (GO) -- Special training for new General Officers -- GO training later changed while serving as DCSOPS -- Assistant Commandant to the Armor School -- More on mentoring -- Return to Europe, DCS for Support, CENTAG -- Deputy Commandant, Command and General Staff College -- Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division -- Selection as Army DCSOPS -- Thoughts on Just Cause -- Thoughts on the fall of the Berlin Wall -- Vice Chief of Staff of the Army -- Mobilization of National Guard units during Desert Storm -- Relationships with the SECDEF and Chairman, JCS -- Further accomplishments as Vice Chief -- Thoughts on the Army drawdown of the 1990s -- Influence of the book "To Lose a Battle" on the drawdown -- Historical paradigm -- Current Army success the result of future visions while Chief of Staff -- Thoughts on gays in the military -- National Guard and Reserve "off-site" agreement -- Thoughts on women in combat -- Historical topics -- The Army as America's enduring institution -- Thoughts on roles and missions of the Army -- Relationship with Secretary of the Army -- The importance of the Army Staff Group to the Chief of Staff of the Army -- Speech at Norwich -- Articulating vision for the Army -- Explanation of the "allegory of the eye" -- Vision for "America's Army" -- Army's relationship with Congress -- Peacetime engagement -- Concept of the Louisiana Maneuvers -- Historical relationship to General U.S. Grant -- Task Force Smith -- Perspective of change from Army Vice Chief to Chief of Staff -- Key people who support the Chief of Staff -- Change of vision for the Army as Chief of Staff -- Change from a forward stationed Army to a power projection Army -- Personal relationships with key leaders in DOD and the Army -- Relationship with Dr. William Perry, SECDEF -- Key lessons from Mogadishu in TF Ranger firefight (Blackhawk Down) -- More thoughts on Somalia -- Thoughts on Haiti -- Issues that caused pondering of resignation -- Legacy -- Concluding thoughts on serving as Army Chief of Staff.