Powell, the DOD and the Officers

In his analysis of the first Persian Gulf war (On Strategy II), Col. Harry Summers wrote this dedication:

In honor of General Colin L. Powell ,Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Friend, Leavenworth Classmate, and Outstanding Soldier
whose strategic guidance led the way to victory in the Persian Gulf war

This is the first time since George Marshall that the Secretary of State enjoys the professional respect of the officers in the military. Similarly, it isn't often that the civilian leadership of the State Department are more sympathetic to the officers than are the top civilians at DoD. I don't know what effect this has on anything, but it is probably worth noting.