I don't work for the DOD, but if I did, I'd definitely be curious about what's going to happen in the coming months.

In a week's time, Secretary Gates announced cuts coming from the Pentagon followed by the release of a magazine article in which he said he may leave the department next year. 

The inside the Beltway parlor game has begun: Who will replace him? Of course, Secretary of State's Hillary Clinton's name has been thrown into the mix.

It made me think, are we (journalists) going to spend the coming months speculating about who will fill Gates' shoes?

I think there's a certain vulnerability of sorts that can happen when an official like that decides they're taking themselves out of the game. Maybe it's because the end of their service is closer, but sometimes they can be more honest and transparent. So is it our job to sort of explore that honesty?

While Gates' pending departure will be fodder for Pentagon-watchers and pundits, it's the budget cuts that have the most immediate news value.

And I'm sure all these changes are much more disconcerting for people who work in the DOD. I'd love to hear from you about what stories you'd like to hear about through all these changes. You know where to find us on twitter or send me an email rschatz@tbd.com.