NEW : Defense Department lauds general 's career , service . President Barack Obama tapped McChrystal in June 2009 to be the top commander in Afghanistan . General McChrystal jokes about the sudden end to his military career . McChrystal stepped down after controversial magazine article . He is characterized as mocking members of Obama 's administration in the article .
NEW : Defense Department lauds general 's career , service . General McChrystal jokes about the sudden end to his military career . McChrystal stepped down after controversial magazine article . He is characterized as mocking members of Obama 's administration in the article .