The Hill is reporting that Robert Gates will retain his post as Secretary of Defense, as least for the next year. This decision will mercifully spare us from the rumored alternatives, among them Chuck Hagel and John Kerry. Here’s a few of Gates’s directives that should absolutely be sustained.

First, continue the sound, pragmatic policies which eschew static military hierarchy. One of Gates’ most valuable qualities is his ability to break through miles of Pentagon red tape in order to swiftly deliver combat capability to the average warfighter. Take the C-12 Huron, a cheap, valuable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform that was rapidly developed and fielded — thanks to Gates’ demand that the Air Force (quickly) improve ISR capabilities in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a platform that the Air Force didn’t want, but the infantry badly needed. Gates won, and the Huron has quickly proven itself to be an invaluable wartime support and intelligence asset.